How many points Millwall need to finish in play-offs after Sheffield United shock - according to Opta

Millwall claimed a shock 1-0 win at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night in a result that gave a major boost to their Championship play-off hopes and put a dent in Sheffield United’s automatic promotion ambitions.

Alex Neil’s side are now ninth thanks to Josh Coburn’s 21st minute goal as the visitors scored from one of their only two shots on target. The result means Millwall have won four of their last six Championship games, with their only defeats coming against Leeds United and Sunderland. Leeds sit top of the table after beating Middlesbrough 1-0 on Tuesday night while the Black Cats are guaranteed a play-off spot with five games to go.

The race for the top six looks set to go the wire as there are just three points between Millwall in ninth and Middlesbrough in sixth. Watford in 10th are just a further point behind the Lions.

How many points Millwall need for top-six finish - according to Opta

The statistic experts at Opta have predicted how the final Championship table will look come next month. They forecast that Millwall will finish on around 64 points to remain ninth and miss out on a place in the top six. Bristol City are tipped to finish fifth on 70 points, around two points ahead of Coventry City who are predicted for the final play-off spot with a final tally of 68.

Middlesbrough and West Brom are forecast to finish sixth and seventh, respectively, with 67 and 65 points. Millwall have a goal difference of minus one as things stand and they are likely going to need to finish above any of their rivals outright to secure a play-off spot. With Coventry tipped for 68 points by Opta, a total of 69 could prove to be enough for Millwall. That would equal a 12-point haul from their final five games.

Up next is the visit of Middlesbrough which looks set to be a decisive game in the race for the top six. They then travel to Blackburn Rovers before back-to-back home games with Norwich City and Swansea City. They conclude the campaign against Burnley at Turf Moor on May 3.

Alex Neil reacts to win over Sheffield United

Reacting to Tuesday’s win, Neil reflected: “Sheffield United are a really good side and I think everybody will probably expect them to get promoted this season. But we’ve got our own agenda. We came here to win the game. We didn’t come here to make up the numbers.

“We want to challenge and hopefully we go into the weekend to challenge, to see if we can beat Middlesbrough and see where that takes us. We don’t want the season to fizzle out. We want to be fighting for something and that’s not easy, there’s a lot of good teams in this league.”

Neil has been promoted twice via the play-offs in the EFL, with Norwich and Sunderland. He added: “If we get in the play-offs, I’d fancy my chances.”