Burnley have already sealed automatic promotion from the Championship, second-placed Sheffield United look set to join them in the coming weeks as they’re five points clear of the playoffs with a game in hand, and Middlesbrough and Luton Town have two playoff places all but sewn up with a nine-point lead over sides outside of the top-six.
There are two playoff places potentially up for grabs in the Championship, however, so Odds To Bet On have compiled trending bookies’ odds on the clubs among the favourites to make the Championship top-six.
Millwall (8/13 to reach playoffs)
Remaining fixtures: Preston, Birmingham, Wigan, Blackpool, Blackburn
Millwall chose a bad time to hit poor form as they’re only in the playoffs on goal difference. The Lions are without a win in four games and haven’t managed to score, so it’s surprising they’re odds-on favorites to make the top-six.
Their next game is against seventh-placed Preston too, so this game could make or break their season. After North End, they’ll have three clubs sitting 17th or lower in the table, so it’s a chance to pick up points. Finishing the campaign against sixth-placed Blackburn prove important too.
Blackburn Rovers (1/1 to reach playoffs)
Remaining fixtures: Hull, Coventry, Preston, Burnley, Luton, Millwall
Blackburn have also been in poor form at the run-in, losing three and drawing one of their last five games, so their hopes of a Championship playoff place are in jeopardy.
Rovers have a very difficult run of games with five of their next six against sides ninth and above in the table, so time will tell if they can overtake Millwall. Their meeting to wrap up the campaign could be massive.
Preston North End (3/1 to reach playoffs)
Remaining fixtures: Millwall, Swansea, Blackburn, Sheff Utd, Sunderland
Preston have hit form at the perfect time with five wins from their last six games, suffering only one defeat from 11, so they’re in with a shout of finishing sixth.
North End face fifth-placed Millwall next, so the winner will finish the day in the playoffs. They did lose their earlier meeting with the Londoners, however.
Ryan Lowe’s men have a tough run of games with sixth-placed Blackburn and second-placed Sheff Utd on top of that, so might they become undone?
Norwich City (5/4 to reach playoffs)
Remaining fixtures: QPR, Swansea, West Brom, Blackpool
Norwich have played more games than the sides around them and are coming off the back of a bad run of results, so the Canaries might be in trouble.
City have managed only one win in seven and have managed just two wins against their four remaining opponents, so time will tell if they can turn things around in time to catch Millwall or Blackburn.
Coventry (7/1 to reach playoffs)
Remaining fixtures: QPR, Blackburn, Reading, Birmingham, Middlesbrough
Coventry are outside bets to reach the playoffs as they’re three points adrift and in poor form, but it’s still mathematically possible if they turn things around. City have beaten QPR, Blackburn and Middlesbrough earlier this season.
But the Sky Blues have managed only one win from their last six games, so they’ll need a perfect finish to the campaign to give themselves a chance of climbing the table.
