ZGlmZnVzaW9uLXY2LWZhbm91dC5yYWNpbmdwb3N0LmNvbQ==NDQzdHJ1ZQ==U29jY2VyYmFzZVVzZXI=YVc4N1Z4NDFiNGgybTc4UTRpT1ZvZmhxM0RENHphQVM=

Birmingham City docked points after rules breach

Birmingham City are set to be deducted nine points for a breach of the English Football League's profitability and sustainability rules and the Blues are 16-1 to be relegated from the Sky Bet Championship.

The penalty would see the club drop to 18th in the table, five points above the relegation zone, although Ipswich (1-200 for the drop) and Bolton (1-66) look certain to fill two of the bottom three spots.

Birmingham are to be punished because their losses over the last three years have exceeded the limit permitted by Football League regulations introduced at the start of the 2016-17 season.

Garry Monk's side had been 13th, seven points off the playoffs, before the points deduction and Sky Bet make them 50-1 to finish in the top half this season.

Birmingham were put under a Football League transfer embargo last summer but they are not expected to face any further punishment after being docked points.

Rotherham (8-11), Reading (2-1), Millwall (7-1) and Wigan (10-1) are the other clubs shorter than the Blues in the Championship relegation betting.

Teams

Agonising over Aberdeen?
Yearning for Yeovil? Our database is crammed with every football club you could possibly wish for

Players

A plethora of players ranging from Adebayor to Zamora. All you need to know to find out who is the best bet to score next

Competitions

Whether it's the Johnstone's Paint Trophy or the Champions League, Soccerbase will ensure you don't experience a big cup upset

Referees

Card-happy control freak?
Astute arbiter? Make the right decision on any referee with the help of our specialist pages

Managers

From Allardyce to Zola, our massive manager database, with histories and win ratios, is sure to get your vote of confidence