Coppell will focus only on getting a result against Birmingham

Reading manager Steve Coppell insists the pressure will be on Birmingham when the sides meet on Sunday in a match that will decide who wins promotion.

Birmingham will go up with a victory, while Reading will secure Premier League status if they win and Sheffield United fail to beat Crystal Palace.

Coppell told BBC Berkshire: "Birmingham must be thinking they have to win - they know if they win they go up.

"We just want to do our job and see what happens," he added.

"It's a little bit in our hands, but a lot of it's going on elsewhere. Because of that and our recent experience of depending on other people, I'm not expecting too much from elsewhere."

A victory over second-placed Birmingham will see Reading leapfrog them into the last automatic promotion spot on goal difference.

However, Sheffield United sit two points above Reading and it will be the Blades who go up if they beat Palace, and Birmingham fail to beat Coppell's side.

It means Reading must hope that Neil Warnock's Palace side put u[p a good fight, and Coppell expects nothing less.

"I know Neil felt hard done by a couple of years ago, when he felt some teams weren't fielding their strongest sides in critical games," he said.

"I know he's very mindful of that and I'm sure his team will give a good account of itself."

Should Reading be promoted it will mean a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and Coppell is well aware of the impact that would make.

"The outcome of the season is massive in terms of positive progression. When you're in the Premier League you can plan and do things with certainty." he added.

"When you're not in the Premier League you're living from hand to mouth. You're very limited in of what you choose to do and your future prospects."

Reading versus Birmingham City kicks off at 1315 on Sunday 3 May and is live on BBC Radio Berkshire.

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