Championship play-offs run-in: Remaining fixtures for all the teams in the race

Sunderland, eh? Just when you thought you are out they pull you back in. Seven points in three games has opened the door for a potential late play-offs push.

You’d still have to say that Sunderland are outsiders, but you never know. The play-offs picture is certainly congested.

Middlesbrough and Luton are practically already there. It would take a remarkable collapse to put their play-offs participation in any genuine danger.

Watford, on the other hand, might have fallen probably a little too far behind now. The Hornets are four points adrift. Not out of it, but they need everything to go their way.

That leaves seven teams battling it out for just two spots in the top six, so let’s have a look at their fixtures and see if we can make sense of it all a little.

Millwall – 5th place, 65 points

Millwall have got themselves into a very strong position and will really fancy their chances of cementing their spot in the play-offs.

The Lions beat Preston, who were behind them on goal difference only, on Saturday at The Den and welcome Birmingham on Tuesday where they will again be strong favourites to get maximum points.

Then comes games away games at Wigan and Blackpool, who might both be relegated by then, before a potentially crunch home clash with Blackburn on the final day.

Remaining Millwall fixtures

Tuesday April 18 – Birmingham (H)
Saturday April 22 – Wigan (A)
Friday April 28 – Blackpool (A)
Monday May 8 – Blackburn (H)

Blackburn – 6th place, 63 points

Blackburn are currently clinging onto the final play-offs spot, although they have not been helped by two recent draws.

The latter of the came at home to Hull on Saturday, and they will likely see that as a missed opportunity given their remaining fixtures.

They do have a game in hand, although all five of their games are against teams currently in the top eight.

Remaining Blackburn fixtures

Wednesday April 19 – Coventry (H)
Saturday April 22 – Preston (A)
Tuesday April 25 – Burnley (H)
Monday May 1 – Luton (H)
Monday May 8 – Millwall (A)

Coventry – 7th place, 62 points

Coventry will be generally happy with their run-in, although it does contain a couple of key tests away from home.

They have a big one at Ewood Park against Blackburn on Wednesday and that may govern the fate of both clubs.

A home game against Reading comes next, with Birmingham visiting the CBS Arena the following week.

They will want to get themselves in a good position before the last game of the season, though, as a trip to Middlesbrough looks like a real toughy.

Remaining Coventry fixtures

Wednesday April 19 – Blackburn (A)
Saturday April 22 – Reading (H)
Saturday April 29 – Birmingham (H)
Monday May 8 – Middlesbrough (A)

Preston – 8th place, 62 points

Only Burnley. Sheffield United and Luton have a better away record than Preston, and they will be hoping they can rely on that until the end of the campaign, but that let them down at Millwall on Saturday.

They lost that one and head to Swansea later this week. That one will likely be another tough test.

Their run-in from there contains difficult matches against Blackburn, Sheffield United and Sunderland, so they will likely be viewing the Swansea trip as vital.

Remaining Preston fixtures

Wednesday April 19 – Swansea (A)
Saturday April 22 – Blackburn (H)
Saturday April 29 – Sheffield United (A)
Monday May 8 – Sunderland (H)

Sunderland – 9th place, 61 points

Sunderland remain outsiders for the play-offs but they are certainly capable of making it interesting.

Much appeared to depend upon the home double-header against Birmingham and Huddersfield, although they made a good start there in beating the Blues 2-1.

An away game against West Brom follows that before Tony Mowbray’s men round off their home campaign against Watford. If they remain in contention, a final-day showdown with Preston awaits.

Remaining Sunderland fixtures

Tuesday April 18 – Huddersfield (H)
Sunday April 23 – West Brom (A)
Saturday April 29 – Watford (H)
Preston May 8 – Preston (A)

Norwich – 10th place, 61 points

It has felt like Norwich have struggled to assert themselves all season and they have definitely fallen short of their pre-season expectations, but their run-in is one of the kindest.

They will need it to be, too. A 5-1 hammering at Middlesbrough on Friday night did little for their confidence or goal difference. A trip to free-falling crisis club QPR follows this week, and then a home game against Swansea.

Their away game at West Brom in late April could be a decisive one, but go into the last game in a good position and they will be confident of not dropping the ball at home to Blackpool.

Remaining Norwich fixtures

Friday April 14 – Middlesbrough (A)
Wednesday April 19 – QPR (A)
Saturday April 22 – Swansea (H)
Saturday April 29 – West Brom (A)
Monday May 8 – Blackpool (H)

West Brom, 11th place, 60 points

West Brom are just three points shy of the play-off places at the moment and have a game in hand over all but Blackburn. Their run-in is on the tricky side, though.

They face relegation certainties Blackpool away this midweek and it would be a major shock if they got anything less than three points.

Their final four matches – against Sunderland, Sheffield United, Norwich and Swansea – certainly look a lot more difficult on paper, although the Swans will likely be firmly on the beach by the time the Baggies arrive in South Wales.

Remaining West Brom fixtures

Tuesday April 18 – Blackpool (A)
Sunday April 23 – Sunderland (H)
Wednesday April 26 – Sheffield United (A)
Saturday April 29 – Norwich (H)
Monday May 8 – Swansea (A)