Championship Play-Off Race: How Millwall, Middlesbrough and Coventry City can make top six today

The Championship season is set to come to an epic end on Saturday afternoon with five teams still fighting for two places in the play-offs, including London outfit Millwall.

Finishing in the top six gives second tier sides the right to extend their 2024/25 season and fight for a lucrative promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, which consist of a two-legged semi-final before a final smackdown at Wembley Stadium.

LondonWorld has poured over the four matches involving those five teams to explain exactly what Millwall, Bristol City, Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough need to happen this weekend.

Championship play-off race explained

Burnley vs Millwall

Millwall must, realistically, beat Burnley to stand a chance of finishing in the play-off places. Should Alex Neil’s side win, they then need Coventry City to not beat Middlesbrough OR for Bristol City to not beat Preston North End. If Millwall and Coventry City both win, the London outfit must close a goal difference of four and thrash the Clarets to climb above Frank Lampard’s side.

A draw is no good for Millwall as they will be caught by Coventry City or Middlesbrough.

Coventry City vs Middlesbrough

If Coventry City win, they will secure a play-off spot and not have to worry about other results - since it is highly unlikely Millwall win AND manage to close a goal difference of four.

If Frank Lampard’s side draw against Boro, they need Millwall to draw or lose AND for Blackburn Rovers to draw or lose against Sheffield United. If Coventry City lose, they will miss out on the play-offs as Middlesbrough will be one point ahead.

Boro must defeat Coventry City to stand a chance of earning a place in the top six. A victory for the North East side would only be enough if Millwall do not beat Burnley OR Bristol City lose against Preston North End.

Bristol City in pole position to bag play-off spot against Preston North End

Bristol City v Preston North End

Bristol City will secure play-off football with a win against Preston North End. If the Robins only draw, they need two of Millwall, Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers to fail to win.

If Bristol City lose at Ashton Gate, they will certainly be overtaken by Coventry City or Middlesbrough. Liam Manning’s side would then need to avoid a Millwall win (or for the Lions to draw and for Bristol City to lose their four goal difference) OR a Blackburn Rovers victory.

Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers

If Blackburn Rovers beat Sheffield United, they need two of Bristol City OR Coventry City OR Millwall to fail to win. If Rovers draw at Bramall Lane, they need Millwall to lose as they will certainly be caught by one of Coventry City or Middlesbrough.

In other news, 'Highly Unlikely': Millwall given Burnley reality check as play-off dreams bloom.