West Bromwich Albion are teetering on the edge of a serious relegation crisis in the Championship, with a daunting set of upcoming fixtures set to define their season. The Baggies have plummeted into peril after a dismal run of seven league games without a victory, leaving them languishing in 20th position and just a single point above the dreaded drop zone.
West Brom's Fixture List: A Mixed Bag of Challenges
The dismissal of former manager Ryan Mason has failed to spark a revival, as new head coach Eric Ramsay remains winless after five matches in charge. Heavy defeats to Norwich City and Portsmouth have only exacerbated the growing concerns at The Hawthorns. What initially appeared to be a mere poor patch of form has now escalated into a full-blown relegation battle, with West Brom deeply entrenched in the fight for survival.
It seems increasingly likely that two from a cluster of six threatened sides will join Sheffield Wednesday in League One next season, after the Owls were effectively relegated due to an 18-point deduction earlier in the campaign. A swift turnaround is imperative if the West Midlands club are to claw their way to safety.
Analysing the Baggies' Next Five Matches
West Brom's forthcoming schedule presents a varied array of opponents, blending local derbies with crucial six-pointers against fellow strugglers. The sequence kicks off with a challenging trip to local rivals Birmingham City on Tuesday evening. Chris Davies' team are formidable on home soil and remain in contention for a play-off place, making this a stern test for Ramsay's men.
Following that, league leaders Coventry City await, a side that has experienced a slight wobble in form recently but still harbours strong promotion ambitions under the guidance of Frank Lampard. The month of February concludes with two absolutely vital encounters against direct relegation rivals.
First, the Baggies host Charlton Athletic at The Hawthorns, before travelling to face Oxford United, who currently occupy 23rd spot. These are matches that West Brom simply cannot afford to lose if they are to steer clear of the bottom three. Rounding off this pivotal five-game period is an away fixture at Sheffield United, a team sitting somewhat uneasily in 16th place but expected to avoid immediate relegation trouble. By the culmination of this run, the trajectory of West Brom's season could become much clearer.
How Do Their Rivals' Schedules Compare?
Oxford United, positioned in 23rd with 28 points and four points from safety, are in a precarious state after managing just one win in their last eight Championship outings. Their upcoming fixtures include a clash with in-form Norwich City, who have revitalised their own campaign with four victories in five matches. This is followed by arduous away trips to Middlesbrough and Stoke City, that all-important home encounter with West Brom, and a journey to Preston North End.
Blackburn Rovers, currently in 22nd place and without a permanent manager, face Queens Park Rangers away in their next match. Subsequently, they have three home games in their next four, hosting Preston North End, Bristol City, and Portsmouth, with an away fixture at Derby County nestled in between the latter two.
Leicester City have been thrust into the relegation mire following a confirmed six-point deduction for breaching EFL spending regulations. Level on points with Blackburn, the Foxes, under interim boss Andy King, travel to Southampton next before consecutive away games at Stoke City and Middlesbrough. A home match against Norwich City and a trip to Ipswich Town complete a formidable set of five fixtures for the beleaguered Midlands club.
Portsmouth, sitting just above West Brom in 19th, have shown signs of improvement lately but still require more points to secure their Championship status. Their next challenge is a home clash with Sheffield United, followed by successive away trips to Charlton Athletic, Millwall, and Wrexham, before a home game against Hull City.
Meanwhile, 18th-placed Charlton Athletic host Stoke City next, before welcoming Portsmouth, travelling to Southampton and West Brom, and then hosting Wrexham to conclude their next five matches. The battle to avoid the drop is intensifying with each passing week.
