With all teams in the EFL Championship only having 8 matches remaining, the pressure to perform is larger than ever. As of right now, Burnley, Sunderland, Coventry and West Bromwich Albion are in the playoffs. However, Burnley and Sunderland have practically already secured playoffs due to the substantial point gap between those below them.
Burnley are 21 points clear of 7th meaning a singular win will mathematically guarantee them playoffs. Sunderland also hold a major lead against competing clubs being 12 points ahead of the likes of West Brom and Bristol City. This essentially leaves two playoff spots up for grabs with many clubs creeping nearer to this position.
As mentioned, Coventry stand 5th and West Brom are 6th but face intense competition from several clubs. The most significant competitors include: Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Watford. All of these clubs are in a 5 point reach of the playoffs, making the final stretch more engaging and pressurising than ever before. This article provides an insight of the success of the clubs in the playoff race and how they’ve performed throughout the season and what’s stopped them from striving higher up the table.
Coventry City
Coventry City has been one of the standout teams in the Championship this season, making a strong push for a playoff spot. The past 2 years contained 2 near misses from dreamland for the sky blues. 2 seasons ago Coventry historically lost to Luton on penalties in the playoff final whilst last season they made it to the FA cup semi-finals where they fell short to the almighty Manchester United. This season the club yet again are clearly one of the favourites to achieve the playoffs due to their clinical finishing and ability to pick up points when it matters.
Throughout the season, the team has been impressive in both attack and defence, with key players like Haji Wright, who always knows where the goal is, and the consistent and composed Victor Torp pulling the strings in midfield. However, many of their players, including the two just mentioned have been injured throughout the season which has resulted in several setbacks regarding results. For example, Haji Wrigh’s absence leads to a lack of goalscoring for quite some time at the club as Norman Bassette and Ellis Simms aren’t at that top level.
Towards the middle of the season, Coventry made the questionable decision to sack legend Mark Robins however this majorly paid off as the appointment of Frank Lampard has reignited the club and revolutionised their playing style. Coventry are now exciting and a risk taking side which often aren’t afraid to attack opponents, creating many goals. Regarding the rest of the season, Coventry must remain resilient considering they are yet to play many top level clubs including Sheffield United, Burnley, West Brom and Middlesbrough. If they can keep their high standards and avoid anymore injury setbacks, Coventry could be a real threat in the playoff race as they aim for a return to the Premier League.
West Bromwich Albion
West Brom have had a season packed with ups and downs, but they’re still very much in the hunt for playoffs. After a shaky start to the campaign, the baggies managed to find some consistency under manager Carlos Corberán. However, in December, Valencia came calling and he was swift to depart the club in desire for a new experience.
This has majorly harmed the results for the club as since the Spaniard has left, they have picked up a mere 21 points out of a possible 48. Despite this, the side have remained determined, refusing to step down from their 6th place position. Various factors have been pivotal towards their success this season. Firstly, the team’s defence has been consistent, only conceding 34 league goals this season, having the 3rd best defensive record across the entire league. Also, the club have the natural goal scorer known as Josh Maja who has currently scored the 5th most goals across the league (12). However, the Nigerian has been injured since January which has only further reduced their goalscoring threat.
The most influential setback for West Brom this season has been the vast amount of draws they’ve achieved. The club has drawn a shocking 18 times this season most notably drawing across a record breaking 6 games between October and November. The club is now managed by Tony Mowbray who is looking to maintain his stance in the playoff race and potentially obtain promotion to the Premier League. West Brom are currently undefeated in their past 6 matches, winning 2 and drawing 4.
Bristol City
Bristol City have stunned the entirety of the Championship this season. The robins have played exciting and positive football becoming fearless in front of goal. The reason Bristol City’s success is so significant this season is it was so unexpected due to their underwhelming achievements for a while. Bristol City have achieved no higher than 8th in the Championship since 2018, suffering as a mid-table side for quite some time.
This season this has all changed, they’ve been impressive with their attacking play, scoring plenty of goals, and showing a lot of confidence on the ball, with a variety of players scoring the goals. Their most influential player this season has most definitely been Anis Mehmeti who frequently shows his flair beating defenders and has also become a goal-threat chipping in with 12 goals, making the winger the clubs top goal scorer.
On top of this, defence has been superb as they have only conceded 41 goals in the championship this season. Bristol City are flying at the moment being undefeated in 7 consecutive games and if they continue this form and maintain such positivity, they are serious candidates for the playoffs.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are a side managed by Michael Carrick. The club are currently sat 8th and have several stars contracted including the young sensation Ben Doak, the composed Tommy Conway and the delight known as Finn Azaz. Not only this, the club also had a fantastic January transfer window signing the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Mark Travers, Morgan Whittaker and Iling Junior.
Essentially, Middlesbrough have signed several players of superb quality which only set high expectations for the season. Despite their 8th position, Middlesbrough have underwhelmed on several occasions this season and especially with the squad they have, should be higher in the table. To add, Ben Doak has been injured since January which has been a major blow for the club as the Scotsman’s flair brought something unique to the team which is now missing.
Michael Carrick’s job has been in question on several occasions this season and is still at risk of losing his role if the club fails to achieve playoffs. Due to their quality of attackers, it is no surprise that the club has scored a staggering 57 goals this season, 32 of which have come from Conway, Azaz and Latte Lath. Emmanuel Latte Lath left the club for the vast fee of over £21,000,000 in the January transfer window which has only wounded the goalscoring threat that the club miss. Middlesbrough still are only 3 points adrift of the playoffs meaning they’re still clearly in contention to achieve them but as mentioned, it is still underwhelming from their perspective as ‘on paper’ they should be doing much better.
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers have remained determined throughout the season and hold a strong position in the league through a questionable season. The club remains in major debts which prevents them from significant investments. This restricts the board from providing funds for players which frustrated the former manager known as John Eustace. The current Derby man created major controversy as he made the decision to leave the rovers in order to manage his former side, Derby county who are currently sat 22nd in the same league.
He stated this was due to the lack of backing from the board which was something that differed to what he was being offered at Derby. Blackburn have then replaced him for the experienced Valerien Ismael who formerly managed Barnsley and Watford in the EFL. Blackburn have been in and around the playoffs all season and were sat 5th under John Eustace however since his departure have fell to 9th. One of Blackburn’s biggest issues across the whole season though is their goalscoring ability. They have only scored 42 goals throughout the season with their top goal scorer being Andreas Weimann who is on 7 goals. But, their defence has been solid only conceding 40 goals this season.
The club are gradually dropping more and more points as they’ve only picked up 1 point out of a possible 15 across their past 5 games. This is allowing teams around them to surpass them which is a position fans never would’ve expected due to their comfortable status they were previously holding in the playoffs. Blackburn most definitely are not out of the playoffs this season though and are still only 5 points away from Coventry, West Brom and Bristol City.
Watford
Watford’s season has been some sort of rollercoaster. The club are settled at 10th and similarly to Blackburn are 5 points away from a playoff position. Watford are under management from former midfielder Tom Cleverley who has created an attacking system which has been effectively implemented by the players. Watford however are very much an inconsistent side which have streaks of both great wins and shameful losses.
Watford’s strongest characteristic is their bolstering midfield with the likes of Giorgi Chakvetadze and Edo Kayembe controlling games and often creating big chances. The club’s top scorer (10 goals) is Vakoun Bayo who is on loan from Udinese however is missing out on playing time as a punishment for his shocking actions which resulted in a red card against Norwich City FC. The forward shoved Norwich starlet Emiliano Marcondes off the ball which was seen as violent misconduct which resulted in a suspension for the Ivorian.
The hornets playoff hopes aren’t entirely ruled out this season but in order to achieve this the club will likely have to deal with the likes of Bristol City, West Brom and Blackburn all of which are close competitors for the final playoff spots. However, it is not unlikely as Watford are a team that play with desire and passion, it just depends on what comes next as part of their eventful season.
With only a few games left in the season, the race for the playoffs in the EFL Championship is incredibly tight. All the clubs have their strengths and several weaknesses but all have the potential to make a push for a place in the Premier League. It’s going to be a fascinating final stretch, and fans of these clubs will be on the edge of their seats until the very end of the season as anybody is in contention to achieve these playoff spots and only time will tell as to what happens.
My Prediction
Firstly, I am a strong believer that Burnley and Sunderland will achieve playoffs. Due to their significant point lead on their competitors, it looks unlikely they will be surpassed. In regards to the other two places up for grabs, it is a clear debate as to who will take these positions. Most of these teams play one another making certain fixtures pivotal in the playoff race.
Personally, I believe that Bristol City and Coventry will achieve 5th and 6th. This is due to the desire both clubs show. Not only this, they also have players who are difference makers. As long as their essential players stay fit, to me, there is no doubt they will finish in the playoffs. As mentioned though, the outcome of the playoff race will likely come down to the fixtures against one another and could even be decided on a blockbuster last game of the season.
