Ipswich currently occupies second place on goal difference ahead of Millwall and holds a one-point advantage over Southampton, according to multiple reports. The team also has a game in hand on its rivals. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting his squad has three away games in six days to finish the season and would need to take another step forward to succeed.
Southampton has experienced a resurgence under manager Tonda Eckert, who took over in early November when the team was in 20th place. Since his appointment, Southampton has scored 42 goals in 22 games, compared to 13 in 13 matches under previous manager Will Still. According to BBC Sport, analyst McLean suggested Southampton could be a late contender for the play-offs.
When I look at Millwall, I look at the level of performance and the games, like the way that they're winning games. It's not like they're getting lucky. They're going and they're dominating teams.
Middlesbrough has struggled with a seven-game winless run, accumulating only four points from a possible 21 during that period. Manager Kim Hellberg, who took charge on November 26, emphasized the need to win the next two games to still have a chance for automatic promotion or build momentum for the play-offs. According to BBC Sport, analyst McLean indicated Millwall could seize the second spot if Middlesbrough slips up.
Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday has been relegated to League One. Millwall is aiming for only its third ever top-flight season, following two between 1988 and 1990. The ultimate outcome of the promotion race and the specific impact of Ipswich's away schedule and Middlesbrough's poor form on their chances remain uncertain as the season concludes.
I look at the way they dismantled Charlton in a local derby. It epitomised everything that they're doing. Physically they're a match for absolutely anyone in the division and they've got quality players.
They don't play long ball but they mix it up, and on their day they're as good as anyone in the division.
Their goals come from everywhere in the team and Alex Neil has built a squad that isn't reliant on one or two superstars. They work, they work brilliantly as a unit, and they all know their job.
They are right on the tails of Middlesbrough. One more slip-up from Boro, and Millwall could grab that second spot. If it is to be the play-offs for them, nobody will want to play them.
There is often a late darter and it definitely could be Southampton. They've scored more goals than anybody in that period of time since Eckert came in as well. Which is a transition from what they had prior to him.
Obviously, Will Still was in charge at the beginning of the season and it just didn't work for whatever reason. But Eckert has come in and he's brought a new belief and they still play attractive football.
What they do is they score a lot of goals as well. And now that they've got the momentum, you wouldn't bet against them getting into the play-offs. Southampton and Ipswich are the two who have been in those promotion shake-ups and in those kinds of battles.
As we get close to the end of the season, that experience could actually play a part.
The club accepted their fate a long time ago but you have to give so much credit to these players week-in week-out that they're not just rolling over and getting beat six, seven and eight.
A lot of the young players that are getting game time will benefit so much from this season and next year will be much better players for going through what