QPR, Millwall and Watford get play-off verdict in new-look predicted Championship table

QPR had been touted as potential play-off candidates following a superb run of form over the busy festive fixture period and New Year. However, recent defeats have seen the side fall back into the bottom half of the table.

It’s been a superb rescue job by Marti Cifuentes this season after the R’s looked destined for another relegation dogfight during the early months of the second tier campaign. QPR won just one of their first 16 Championship fixtures this season.

However, the Catalan coach turned to youth in the likes of Kieran Morgan, Rayan Kolli and Alfie Lloyd, which rejuvenated the side. Between the end of November and end of January, QPR went 13 outings with just one defeat and were the EFL’s in-form side.

Millwall and QPR still in play-off contention

That type of form would have kept QPR rising into a play-off place but Cifuentes’ side have been beaten by Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall, Coventry City and Portsmouth since then. The west London outfit now have just six points out of a possible last 18.

That hasn’t caused panic stations at Loftus Road but, all of a sudden, a seven point gap has opened up between the club and sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers in the play-off zones. London rivals Millwall, who were rocked by the sudden departure of Neil Harris in December, are closer to the top six.

The Lions, who have found stability under new boss Alex Neil, sit 11th and are six points off the play-off zone. Millwall have only lost one of their last eight Championship fixtures and, on that form, are more likely play-off contenders than QPR.

When asked about his ambitions at the end of December when appointed at The Den, Neil said: “I’m not managing expectations at all because the last thing I want to do is put a limit on aspiration.

“If we end up doing really well and we’re within touching distance of the play-offs with ten games to go, I’ll be sitting here saying right now I’ll be really disappointed if we don’t make the play-offs. But if with ten games to go, we’re six points away from the bottom end of the table, I’ll be saying we need to win some of these games to make sure that we’re in a good position in the league. So I don’t know what that’s gonna look like.

Predicted Championship table

Only time will tell who is vying for the right to fight for promotion via the play-offs. LondonWorld looks at how the stat experts at Opta believe the final Championship table will play out.

1. Leeds United - 100 points
2. Sheffield United - 92 points
3. Burnley - 91 points
4. Sunderland - 81 points
5. West Brom - 69 points
6. Coventry City - 68 points
7. Blackburn Rovers - 68 points
8. Bristol City - 65 points
9. Norwich City - 64 points
10. Watford - 64 points
11. Middlesbrough - 63 points
12. Sheffield Wednesday - 62 points
13. Millwall - 60 points
14. Preston - 59 points
15. QPR - 58 points
16. Portsmouth - 54 points
17. Swansea - 54 points
18. Stoke City - 51 points
19. Hull City -51 points
20. Oxford Utd - 51 points
21. Cardiff City - 48 points
22. Plymouth - 43 points
23. Derby - 42 points
24. Luton - 41 points

In other news, QPR head coach Cifuentes has pointed to foul play as to the reason behind a fresh first team injury worry.