Luke's Football blog

The championship playoff race is heating up as 9 teams are fighting for the last 2 playoff spots, and with 2 games left, it is going to be a dogfight to see who finishes in the playoffs as any of the 9 teams have an outside chance of making it in the playoffs, and I’m here to discuss who has a chance of making it in the playoffs.

Teams that are in the fight:

Coventry

Coventry City have had a remarkable season after not being able to play home games at the start of the season and selling their best defender as they were struggling financially. This left them to fall behind the rest of the teams, but over the course of the season they have rose up the league into 5th place and Mark Robins side shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, with his side firing on all cylinders.

Standout Player This Season:

Coventry’s standout player this season is ViKtor Gyökeres, whose goals have fired his side into the playoffs. He is a complete striker who can score goals with both feet, which also helps with his impeccable hold-up position and good eye for goal, making him linked with a few Premier League clubs. His goals could fire them to the Premier League if he can keep up his good scoring form through the playoffs, which would be a remarkable achievement for the Brighton flop.

Remaining Fixtures:

Coventry have Birmingham City and Middlesborough left to play in the championship, which are two doable games, but they will have to make sure they beat Birmingham City as they are the less tougher opponent. They are a point ahead of Sunderland, Millwall, and Blackburn, who are also fighting for a playoff place, so a win against Birmingham City and a draw against Middlesbrough might be enough for them to get into the playoffs if Blackburn and Millwall draw when they play each other on the final day.

How Likely They Are To Get A Playoff Place:

They are quite likely to get a playoff place as they are in good form, going 5 games unbeaten currently, and if they beat Birmingham on Saturday, they will all but secure their playoff place since Burnley beat Blackburn on Wednesday but they will need to win on Saturday against a Birmingham side who are already safe from relegation.

My Prediction:

I predict they will finish 5th as I feel they have just about enough momentum at the moment, which doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, so if they manage to keep it up, they look like a good candidate to make the playoffs and potentially get promoted through it.

Sunderland

Sunderland have had a bit of a mixed season so far, losing their manager early on in the season as he left to jump ship to Stoke, but under Tony Mowbray they have gathered momentum and have gone on an unbeaten run, which has currently been going on for 7 games, which has been crucial to their playoff push. In February, they looked out of it after a 3-game losing streak, but that 7-game unbeaten run plummeted them up the table and into a good shout of a playoff place.

Standout Player This Season:

Sunderland’s standout player this season is Jack Clarke, as he’s been the creative force in the heart of his side, notching up 8 goals and 9 assists this season. He’s been one of the standout creators in the championship this season, with his assist contributing to the good run they are on at the moment with a goal and 2 assists in a 4-4 draw with Hull City, which has been his standout game so far this season, and he will hopefully be looking to take his fine form into the last 2 games for his side. His stats have looked promising as he’s averaging 1.91 successful dribbles per 90, with him also averaging a goal involvement of 0.42 per 90. He also likes to win his duals, as he’s averaging 6.12 duals won per 90, which shows he a hard worker, which has shown through the course of the season.

Remaining Fixtures:

Sunderland have two fixtures against two playoff rivals, which makes it an important two games for them as a win against both could cement their place in the playoffs due to their having a better goal difference than the teams below them. They are going into their games high on confidence as they are on a 7-game unbeaten run currently, but two hard games are going to show their character and see if they can handle the pressure.

How Likely They Are To Get A Playoff Place:

They have a good chance with the squad they have at their disposal, and with a superior goal difference to the teams around them, they have a good chance, but they have some of the hardest fixtures left, which could be a problem, so we will see if they can get a playoff place.

My Prediction:

I feel that they will finish 8th as they have two hard fixtures against teams around them, and I feel they will lose one of them, which would see them fall out of the playoff places, but I feel they will give themselves a good account but fall at the last hurdle.

Millwall

Millwall have had a very up-and-down season, but recently they have fallen off badly with two losses in a row to teams in the bottom half of the table, causing them to fall out of the playoff places currently, and they will need to find form fast as more teams enter the playoff race, making it so tense.

Standout Player This Season:

Millwall’s standout player this season is George Saville, as his consistent performances across the season have been essential to his side’s push for the playoffs with his high work rate, which allows him to win the ball back for his team, and his leadership being a key part of his game and has improved it for the better as he changed from being more of an attacking player to now pulling the strings in the heart of the Millwall midfield with him dominating the ground duals, which has seen him averaging 7.28 duals won per 90 and also averaging 1.75 interceptions won per 90, showing that he can get stuck in and work hard for his team.

Remaining Fixtures:

Millwall have 2 challenging fixtures left as Blackpool are fighting to stay in the division and will be fighting for their lives for points, and the last game is a crucial clash for the playoffs between them and Blackburn to see who will reach the playoffs. If they keep playing like they are at the moment, they will have no chance of reaching the playoffs after they are on a poor run that has seen them slip out of the playoffs and fall into 7th place.

How Likely They Are To Get A Playoff Place:

Their goal difference is on the line with some of the clubs in and around them, so if it potentially goes down to that, They stand a good chance, but they will have to pick up form again after slumping to two losses. It is doable if they get a win and a draw, but they have to improve their bad form.

My Prediction:

I feel they will get the last playoff spot by beating Blackpool and drawing with Blackburn, as I feel they will have enough quality to see them through, but they will need to improve their form, which Gary Rowett’s men will hopefully get them to do, and I feel they will get the 6th place spot on the final day if they can sort out their form.

Blackburn

Blackburn have had their usual end-of-season collapse, and it looks like history is repeating itself as they haven’t won a game in seven now, and with three difficult games left to play, it ain’t looking good for the team from Lancashire as they play two teams in and around them, which could be a problem with their collapse at the moment and recent loss to their rivals Burnley at home.

Standout Player This Season:

Blackburn’s standout player this season has been Dominic Hyam, as his solid defensive work has kept his side afloat, and still with a good chance of the playoffs, he has been a Thorne in the Blackburn defence, creating a good partnership with Hayden Carter that has propelled Blackburn to where they are at the moment, and he’s been key to that, winning 183 ground duals throughout the season and averaging 5.21 ground duals won per game, which has been important when keeping Blackburn in the game.

Remaining Fixtures:

For Blackburn’s remaining fixtures, they have 2 hard games against teams in and around the playoff spots as they play Luton on Monday, who have already secured their place in the playoffs after a 13-game unbeaten run, and the game after that for them is a trip to the Den to play playoff rivals Millwall, which will be a tight clash as both teams are fighting for the last 2 playoff places as they are separated by goal difference as both of them sit just outside the playoff places. That game is important for both clubs, as I feel the winner of that game will get the final playoff spot.

How Likely They Are To Get A Playoff Place:

Blackburn, like the rest of the teams, have a good chance, but if it goes down to goal difference, they will fall as they have an inferior goal difference to some of the teams around them, which would make it hard for them if the race gets so tight as a negative 3 goal difference for a team pushing for the playoffs is not good, and if it stays like that, they will find it hard to get a place as the race gets tighter each week.

My Prediction:

I reckon they will miss out due to their goal difference and the fixtures they have left, as I don’t see them winning either game as they are a team low on confidence, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, especially if they keep playing like they do at the moment and not being clinical in front of goal, which is what you need to be if you want to reach the playoffs, but I feel they will finish 10th in the league.

West Brom

West Brom had a slow start to the season, with them winning 1 game in 13 in the league and falling near the bottom of the table under Steve Bruce. He was soon sacked and replaced with Carlos Corberan, who has done his best to revitalise a team that was low on confidence and not playing well, as he has taken them up the table into 9th place at the moment. If you told a Baggies fan after the horrid start to the season that they would have a chance of making the playoffs, they would not believe you, but a good December run has plummeted them to a few points off the playoffs and with a chance of reaching them.

Standout Player This Season:

West Brom’s standout player this season has been midfielder Okay Yokuslu. He has been their most consistent player; he was one of the only players who played well in the brunch tenor, but under Carlos Corberan, he has taken his game to the next level as his ability to win the ball back for his team has been crucial, as he’s averaging 2.59 tackles per 90 and 8.15 ground duals won per 90, showing he can win the ball back and work it to the attack and keep possession for his club, which has been key for his side. The passion he shows for the club has helped him form a good relationship with the fans, as he plays his heart out every game.

Remaining Fixtures:

West Brom have 3 hard fixtures left against teams who are fighting for the same places as them, with games against Norwich and Swansea, who are only a point below them, so those games will be crucial in the fight for the playoffs as it’s the closest it’s been in ages, so they will have to be up for it, but after back-to-back losses, it looks like hard graft as they will want to get back on form to potentially get a playoff place.

How Likely They Are To Get A Playoff Place:

They are currently 2 points out of the playoffs, so it’s doable, but the 2 fixtures they have left are hard games, but wins against both of them are doable, but they will have to improve after 2 straight losses in a row, which has almost damaged their playoff push. They will have to show their quality in their last 2 games in order to put up a good fight.

My Prediction:

I reckon they will put up a good fight but will draw against Norwich and Swansea, putting them in 11th place and a few points away from 6th. As form plays a huge factor, and as they are low on confidence and not picking up points, they will struggle to find some more, especially with two hard games coming up.

Preston

Preston have had a strange season, to say the least. It started with 4 0-0 draws out of their first 5 games, but under Ryan Lowe, they have had a few memorable moments and runs that have put them in the playoff picture currently.

Standout Player This Season:

Preston’s standout player this season has been Freddie Woodman, whose consistent performances have helped Preston climb the table. He has saved them on numerous occasions, with Swansea at home being a standout game as his crucial save at the end preserved a win for his side. His performances have proved good, as he is 3rd in clean sheets with 17, 2 behind Ben Wilson of Coventry and Ethan Horvath of Luton Town, which shows he’s been one of the best goalkeepers in the league this season.

Remaining Fixtures:

Preston play the already promoted Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, who could rest some players after they’ve already secured promotion to the Premier League after beating West Brom and putting a dent in their playoff charge. Then on the final day, they face playoff hopefuls Sunderland, who will also be looking for the points to secure a playoff place, so it will make for a tense final game.

How Likely They Are To Get A Playoff Place:

With them boasting the worst goal difference in the top half, it will be hard for them to get a place if it gets tight in the playoff race, so it’s not that likely unless most results can go their way and they manage to pull up good performances in their last 2 games to put up a serious chance of getting a playoff place.

My Prediction:

I feel Preston will finish in 9th as they have two hard fixtures, and with an inferior goal difference to the teams around them, it doesn’t help them at all as it goes down to that if the race gets tight, but I feel they will give a great account of themselves and give it their best shot, but they will finish in a respectable 9th place.

Norwich

Norwich had a good start to the season, winning six games in a row between late August and early September, but it all came crashing down in October, with them going on a six-game winless streak that included three straight losses. It didn’t seem to get better, which led to the sacking of Dean Smith. They hired David Wagner, and they have been playing decent football, but recently they have been an out-of-form side who haven’t won since the start of the month.

Standout Player This Season:

Their standout player this season has been Gabriel Sara, whose goals and solid performances have gotten Norwich within a slither of a playoff spot. He is one of the key creators in the Norwich side, with him averaging 1.7 key passes per 90 minutes, showing his stench attacking-wise. He is also very versatile, as he plays numerous roles, whether as a defensive midfielder or an attacking midfielder. He can put in a shift anywhere in the middle of the park.

Remaining Fixtures:

Norwich have the easier games out of the people in the playoff race as they play Blackpool, who are getting close to being relegated, and West Brom, who, like Norwich, are also fighting for a playoff spot, so it’s all up for grabs in that last game if both sides are feeling up for it.

How Likely They Are To Get A Playoff Place:

They have a great chance, but their problem is the lack of consistency in their performances, as they have shown no fight back in any of their recent games, which is what you need when challenging for the playoffs, but they have not shown that, and if they continue to show no fight, their playoff chances will slowly slip away.

My Prediction:

I reckon the lack of fightback will creep into their last 2 fixtures and they will slump to 2 losses as the teams they are playing are showing more fightback and playing with more confidence, so I feel they will slump to 2 losses and finish in 12th, which would be a poor season for a team that everyone thought would get promoted back to the Premier League.

Swansea:

Swansea under Russell Martin are the most in-form team in the playoff race so far, as 6 wins out of 7 have pushed them within 3 points of the playoff spots, which they thought they had no chance of after 3 straight losses in March, but they have found form at the right time and now they have a chance of making the playoffs.

Standout Player This Season:

Swansea’s standout player this season has been Ryan Manning, as his consistent performances have contributed to their good run at the moment. He has 1 goal and 3 assists in the last 3 games, showing he can contribute both attackingly and defensively, and he’s looked solid in that Swansea defence, which has improved over the course of the season.

Remaining Fixtures:

Swansea have two winnable games left, and if they keep this sort of form up, they could easily win both games, but they will have to hope some games go their way and some favours are done by a few other teams in the championship if they stand a chance of getting a playoff place.

How Likely They Are To Get A Playoff Place:

I reckon they have a better chance than most teams, but I feel it’s too late of a stage to be challenging. They have the easier fixtures of the clubs fighting for a playoff spot, so it’s difficult to decide at the moment, but who knows?

My Prediction:

I think Swansea will have a string finish to the season with two winnable games, but I feel they will draw with West Brom on the final game to just miss out on the playoffs, as I feel it would be quite hard for them to reach it at the moment, but they will give it a shot, and I feel they will finish in a comfortable 8th position.

Overall, it has been a tight race for the playoffs with entertainment all the way through, but I think Coventry and Millwall will get into the playoffs just about, but it could go to any team in the race; it’s that close.