03 May 2023 , 08:54
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There’s one game to go before the EFL Championship Playoff will have its final four carved in stone, and in with a shout of winning football’s ‘most valuable prize’ and a ticket to the Premier League.
With third and fourth place already secured by Luton Town and Middlesbrough, 90 minutes stands to be the difference between filling the final two spots of fifth and sixth place, or having to endure a long summer of what could have been.
Four hopefuls look to make dreams a reality as the EFL Championship ’s crescendo reaches its climax in the hunt to be that third and final promoted outfit:
Luton
Current Position – 3 rd (79 Points)
To be Promoted –
To get Top Six – Already Guaranteed
Luton Town are back again for a promotion shot after last year’s semi-final defeat to Huddersfield. Their final day fixture against bottom half Hull City is somewhat without any repercussions and is the ideal chance to build on a 13-game unbeaten run that goes back to February 18 th .
Luton have the lost the second least amount of games this season, which explains why they’re one of the favourites to go up. Their momentum, alongside their ability to remain in the game and typically draw or win, will see them in a good place during the playoff format.
Middlesbrough
Current Position – 4 th (74 Points)
To be Promoted –
To get Top Six – Already Guaranteed
Another team with nothing to sweat over is Middlesbrough, who have fourth-place signed, sealed and locked up. It could be considered a ‘free hit’ with nothing to lose against Coventry City, however this could be the perfect opportunity for Boro to get the edge as they would play each other straight after should Coventry remain in fifth.
With the league’s 28-goal top scorer Chuba Akpom leading the Middlesbrough line, and the league’s top assist merchant Ryan Giles on their side, promotion is a real possibility with that sort of creative firepower.
Coventry
Current Position – 5 th (69 Points)
To be Promoted –
To get Top Six –
When it comes to goal contributions, look no further than Viktor Gyokeres’ 21 goals and 10 assists this Championship season. Besides the free-scoring Swede finishing chances or teeing up his teammates, Coventry also have the league’s most clean sheets via goalkeeper Ben Wilson’s 48% shutout record.
They’ll need all areas of the pitch firing as they face fourth-place Middlesbrough on the last day, who will be eager to get back to winning ways after two straight losses left a slightly sour taste having guaranteed a playoff position.
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Millwall
Current Position – 6 th (68 Points)
To be Promoted –
To get Top Six –
Millwall condemned Blackpool to relegation in a 3-2 win that gave the South-East Londoners a vital three points in their promotion bid. A comprehensive home record boosts their chances of victory against a Blackburn side who have suffered with travel sickness this season.
Not only would a win consolidate their playoff place, but they could move up a place depending on fifth-place Coventry’s result. The prolific Tom Bradshaw also boosts their chances if the striker can add to his impressive 17 league goals this season.
Sunderland
Current Position – 7 th (66 Points)
To be Promoted –
To get Top Six –
The Black Cats have a chance at back-to-back promotion after winning the League One playoffs last year. Their final league game against out-of-form Preston could well see Tony Mowbray’s side jump at least one place and enter the playoff places.
With only two points separating them from a top six spot they’ll be hoping Blackburn can help them out against Millwall. Unbeaten in their last eight, it’s a bad time for anyone to be playing against Sunderland as the throw everything at this final fixture.
West Brom
Current Position – 8 th (66 Points)
To be Promoted –
To get Top Six –
After losses to newly-promoted Sheffield United and fellow top six contenders Sunderland, West Brom edged it in their 2-1 win over Norwich to claim a huge three points.
Sandwiched between Blackburn and Sunderland, all on 66 points, Albion will have to disregard their inconsistent away form to beat Swansea. Carlos Corberan lost out in the playoff final with Huddersfield in 2021/22 against Nottingham Forest, but he could claim redemption with West Brom this time around.
Blackburn
Current Position – 9 th (66 Points)
To be Promoted –
To get Top Six –
Blackburn gave themselves a shot at finishing in the top six after an entertaining draw against playoff participants Luton. The Riversiders will feel a little annoyed not to have capitalised on a solid playoff position in mid-March, but having been winless in nine games, will rely on some help from the football Gods when they travel in search of a win at sixth-place Millwall.
With -3 goal difference, and a poor away record, they’ll need plenty to go their way on the final day to have a chance.
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