Summary

  • Aston Villa nine points off second place in Championship after 0-0 draw at Hull

  • Villa substitute Jonathan Kodjia makes return from injury

  • Birmingham move out of bottom three with 1-0 victory over Ipswich

  • Jota's first-half penalty earns Blues second successive win

  • League One full-time: Walsall 0-1 Portsmouth

  1. Push for the play-offspublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    HT: Birmingham 1-0 Ipswich

    So, as we enter the final stages of the 2017-18 season, who's your money on to reach the Championship play-offs?

    Millwall were the only side to win between fifth place and 10th place on Good Friday, after they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.

    With just two points separating five places and the final two play-off places up for grabs, it's going to be an exciting end to the campaign.

    Battle for the play-offsImage source, BBC Sport
  2. At the toppublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    HT: Birmingham 1-0 Ipswich

    So as the players enjoy a half-time orange and I enjoy a cuppa, let's relive yesterday's Good Friday Championship action.

    Wolves bolstered their lead at the summit with a hard-fought 2-1 away win against Middlesbrough despite being reduced to nine men after Ruben Neves and Matt Doherty were sent off.

    Elsewhere, Cardiff beat struggling Burton Albion and Fulham beat Norwich at Carrow Road as they continued their promotion push.

    Aston Villa face Hull City in tonight's late Championship fixture and can draw level on points with Fulham should they win.

    Top of the Championship tableImage source, BBC Sport
  3. HALF-TIMEpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    Birmingham 1-0 Ipswich

    Jota's penalty on 21 minutes puts Birmingham City into a one-goal lead against Ipswich Town at the break.

    They've been good value for their lead and Garry Monk will be pleased with his side's bright performance.

    It's also half-time in the League One fixture between Walsall and Portsmouth, which is goalless.

  4. Postpublished at 43 mins

    Birmingham 1-0 Ipswich

    It's not been the first-half performance a lot of Ipswich fans might have hoped for, though. They haven't recorded a shot on target so far this afternoon.

    After winning a free-kick when Jordan Spence is fouled outside the box, it comes to nothing as Blues eventually clear their lines.

  5. Postpublished at 37 mins

    Birmingham 1-0 Ipswich

    It's quietened down a bit as we approach the tail end of the first half at St Andrew's.

    A Jacques Maghoma corner sails past everyone in the box but falls to Michael Morrison who nods off target.

  6. get involved

    Get Involved #bbceflpublished at 15:36 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    The right time for McCarthy to leave Ipswich?

    Mick McCarthyImage source, Rex Features

    Oliver Allen: Right time for him to go in my opinion. Was a good servant but stale tactics and bitterness with fans has ruined season. Future was in the balance so good we now know.

    Paul Barber: McCarthy has done a fantastic job on limited funds but the time is right for change. His negative football and disregard for a section of our fans created a rift that could not be healed. Now we need Evans to sell up.

  7. Postpublished at 29 mins

    Birmingham 1-0 Ipswich

    A tremendous save from Bartosz Bialkowski to deny Birmingham City what could have been their second of the afternoon.

    Che Adams fires goalwards and his deflected spinning shot is saved by the Ipswich keeper's legs.

  8. League One latestpublished at 15:28 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    Walsall 0-0 Portsmouth

    Still no goals in today's League One match between Walsall and Portsmouth.

    Veteran striker Brett Pitman has just sent a header wide for the visitors, who are hoping to move within two points of the top six with victory today.

  9. Postpublished at 25 mins

    Birmingham 1-0 Ipswich

    Credit to Ipswich, they've kept pressing despite conceding. They break upfield on the attack and Callum Connolly receives possession on the edge of the box before unleashing a shot.

    Unfortunately for the Tractor Boys, it's blocked by Wes Harding.

  10. get involved

    Get Involved #bbceflpublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    Will Birmingham stay up?

    Simon Atkins: Blues have been crying out for us to consistently play two up front. We started doing so, and we started playing better, no brainer!

    Blues have won one and lost two under Garry Monk so far, although there were signs of improvement in losses to Middlesbrough and Cardiff before Blues beat Hull 3-0 in their most recent match.

    Birmingham celebrateImage source, Empics
  11. goal

    GOAL: Birmingham 1-0 Ipswichpublished at 20 mins

    Jota

    What a start for Blues!

    Jota makes no mistake from the spot as he rolls the ball past Bartosz Bialkowski. That's his third goal in two games.

    Birmingham will climb out of the bottom three if they win.

    Jota scores for BirminghamImage source, Rex Features
  12. PENALTY TO BIRMINGHAMpublished at 19 mins

    Birmingham 0-0 Ipswich

    The hosts win a penalty as Cameron Carter-Vickers brings down Jacques Maghoma.

  13. Postpublished at 15 mins

    Birmingham 0-0 Ipswich

    There's not a great deal happening at St Andrew's at the minute.

    Both sides well and truly sussing each other out as it stands.

  14. 100 up for Lukakupublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    Premier League latest

    Romelu LukakuImage source, Reuters

    A milestone for Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku - he's just scored his 100th Premier League goal to put the Red Devils 1-0 up at home to Swansea.

    Follow text and radio coverage of Saturday's Premier League action here.

  15. Postpublished at 10 mins

    Birmingham 0-0 Ipswich

    Blues have won two corners in the opening 10 minutes at St Andrew's, the latter of which reaches David Davis who tries his luck with a volleyed effort that sails wide.

    Ipswich are defending valiantly so far but Garry Monk's side will be throwing everything at them as they chase a much-needed victory that will lift them out of the bottom three.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    #bbcefl

    Birmingham fans - happy with the progress made under new boss Garry Monk? Think you'll stay up?

    Ipswich fans - agree or disagree with the timing of Mick McCarthy's departure?

    Get in touch using #bbcefl on social media.

  17. Postpublished at 4 mins

    Birmingham 0-0 Ipswich

    The hosts have started brightly here. Lukas Jutkiewicz heads towards goal but Jonas Knudsen is on hand to clear away the danger.

    Meanwhile, Jota cuts in to shoot from long range, but his effort is well wide of the mark.

  18. Postpublished at 1 min

    Birmingham 0-0 Ipswich

    Ding ding! Let's get it onnnnnnn!

  19. Kick-off approachingpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    Birmingham v Ipswich (15:00 BST)

    The players are out at St Andrew's and we're about to get under way.

    Garry MonkImage source, Empics
  20. League One previewpublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 31 March 2018

    Walsall v Portsmouth (15:00 BST)

    I'll also be keeping you up to date with events just down the road from St Andrew's at Walsall.

    The Saddlers are four points above the League One relegation zone and will hope new boss Dean Keates can steer them closer to safety.

    Portsmouth, meanwhile, start today's match five points off the play-off spots. It's getting mightily congested up there, with two points separating the teams in fifth and eighth. Ninth-placed Pompey will want to be in the mix too.