survival

Hull City on the Brink: 20th Place, 45 Points—Can They Hold On, or Will the Drop Loom?

April 16, 2025 RAYMOND 0

With only two games left against Derby County and Portsmouth, Hull City seems poised to secure their Championship status for next season—assuming they can win both matches. However, the road to survival is never simple, and many Tigers fans are eager for the team to seal their fate before the final weeks of the season.

Hull’s next challenge comes over the Easter weekend, with a trip to Swansea, who still have outside hopes of reaching the top six, followed by a home match against Preston North End, a side that has struggled on the road. While Hull has often shown the quality needed to avoid relegation, recent form—just one win in their last five—has raised some concerns.

Despite this, Hull’s solid defensive record and superior goal difference give them a crucial advantage over the teams around them, making it likely they’ll gather enough points to stay clear of danger before the season’s end.

Race to the Finish: How Portsmouth, Oxford United, Hull City & Stoke City’s Final 4 Battles Could Decide Championship Fate

April 16, 2025 RAYMOND 0

As the season draws to a close, Oxford United and Stoke City are among the teams looking to escape the looming threat of relegation. Oxford, currently 17th with 48 points, has gained crucial momentum with three wins in their last five matches, putting them six points clear of the bottom three. Their upcoming Easter fixtures give them a chance to secure survival, with a pivotal clash against Cardiff City on Easter Monday. A win in that match could put them nine points ahead of Cardiff, virtually guaranteeing their safety.

Stoke City, sitting just one place below Oxford in 18th with 47 points, breathed a sigh of relief after a late win over Cardiff. With a five-point gap above the relegation zone, they now face a challenging set of fixtures, including tough away games against Leeds United and Sheffield United. The team will need to pick up points from their upcoming matches, with their best-case scenario being that teams currently in the bottom three fail to make up ground, allowing Stoke to breathe easier as they head into their final stretch.

We’ve Got to Start Picking These Points Up’ – Mark Robins Lays Down the Gauntlet Ahead of Crucial Stoke City Clash at Cardiff City

April 12, 2025 RAYMOND 0

Ahead of Stoke City’s crucial match against Cardiff City, Mark Robins expressed optimism despite the challenges his team faces. With only five matches remaining in the Championship season, Stoke are sitting just two points above the relegation zone, making the Cardiff clash a potentially season-defining encounter. Robins remains positive after an unbeaten run since the international break, with a win over QPR and draws against Preston North End and Luton Town. “Those performances are the things that start to pick up points,” Robins said, emphasizing that Stoke are building momentum.

While the late equalizer conceded to Luton could have been a morale blow, Robins remains focused on the task ahead. “For us it’s all to play for,” he said, highlighting the opportunities still available for his side to survive. With key players like Josh Wilson-Esbrand nearing a return, Stoke’s injury issues seem to be easing, which could prove vital in the final stretch of the season. Robins also praised the unwavering support from Stoke’s fans, with over 1,600 supporters making the long trip to Cardiff. “They’ve been vocal in a really positive way,” Robins added, acknowledging the vital role the fans play as the team battles to retain their Championship status.

Behind Closed Doors: Inside Stoke City’s Tense Dressing Room Ahead of Cardiff ‘Cup Final’ Showdown

April 10, 2025 RAYMOND 0

Stoke City returned to training today with a heightened sense of urgency ahead of a critical Championship showdown against Cardiff City, a match Wouter Burger has dubbed a “cup final.” The Potters know that a win in South Wales would be a massive step toward securing their Championship status, with just a handful of games remaining. Backed by over 1,500 fans, Stoke will face Cardiff with a two-point advantage, having slipped to a frustrating draw against Luton Town midweek after conceding a last-minute equalizer.

Burger admitted the team was hurting after dropping two valuable points, but there was no time for regret. “We just have to stay together,” he said, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the next game. Manager Mark Robins echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that late goals have become a painful trend but stressing that the team must quickly recover and look ahead to the challenges that remain. “There’s still a long way to go,” Robins said. “A lot of work to be done, but we’re still alive in this fight.”