How QPR and Millwall fare in new predicted Championship table - good news for one and bad for other

Millwall boosted their hopes of storming in on a play-off place with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at The Den on Saturday while QPR put another point between themselves and the relegation places with a draw against Bristol City.

Alex Neil’s side got the better of Boro, who too are looking to find themselves in the top six at the end of the season. That huge win saw the Lions go level with Middlesbrough on points in ninth and the London outfit are not just two points off the play-off spots.

Sixth-placed Coventry City do have a game in hand on the sides below them but Millwall are in buoyant mood, having also beaten title contenders Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last week. Neil’s men have another big clash up next against 10th placed Blackburn Rovers, with all eyes on a push for the play-offs.

Millwall boss Alex Neil has ‘vast experience’ of play-offs

Speaking after the weekend’s victory, Neil told BBC Radio London: "I've done the play-offs three times and managed to be successful each time, which doesn't mean anything going into it. But what it does mean is I've got vast experience in terms of getting into them. I've got a lot of experience in going into these run-ins as well.

"We've still got a lot of work to do, we're still chasing teams above us - there are still two teams we need to chase, which is tough. Really, it's down to them [West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough].

"We've got four games against really tough opponents but what this week has done is given us an opportunity that otherwise we wouldn't have had. From that perspective, I'm extremely proud of the players in terms of what they've put in."

QPR take one step closer to safety

On the other side of London, QPR are looking down the table rather than up it. A poor run of form in recent months had seen the R’s plummet down towards the drop zone, having looked like play-off contenders themselves at one point.

Recent draws against Cardiff City and Bristol City have helped the side, along with a big three points against Oxford United. QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes said: “I value what this team has achieved this season so far more than what we achieved last season.

“Last season was big. It was a very big effort from everyone to escape from relegation and we did but I think what everybody from this group has been through this season is even more tough – 100 per cent.

“So I give a lot of value to have 50 points [this season] and big credit to the players. They are an honest group and we have been through a lot of difficult moments this season and together with the fans we have almost done it. Now is the last push. Let’s try to see if we can do better than last season in terms of position in the table and in terms of points but at the moment to have 50 points… great job from the players.”

LondonWorld looks at how the stats experts at Opta predict the Championship table to finish with huge play-off and relegation calls made.

Predicted Championship table

1. Leeds United, 96 points
2. Burnley, 96 points
3. Sheffield United, 90 points
4. Sunderland 82 points
5. Coventry City, 70 points
6. Bristol City, 70 points
7. West Brom, 66 points
8. Middlesbrough, 66 points
9. Millwall, 65 points
10. Watford, 61 points
11. Blackburn Rovers, 61 points
12. Swansea City, 60 points
13. Norwich, 59 points
14. Sheffield Wednesday, 59 points
15. Preston North End, 55 points
16. QPR, 54 points
17. Oxford United, 52 points
18. Stoke City, 51 points
19. Portsmouth, 51 points
20. Hull City, 51 points
21. Derby County, 48 points
22. Cardiff City, 46 points
23. Luton Town, 44 points
24. Plymouth Argyle, 43 points

In other news, QPR are set to confirm a new deal with this former Premier League star after Bristol City and Oxford United results.