Still plenty to play for in the Championship as the playoff and relegation races reach climax
- James M Buttler
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Leeds and Burnley may have sealed automatic promotion from the Championship, but the race to make the playoffs and avoid relegation are hotting up. James Buttler finds the best bets.
Luton Town v Coventry City
With just two games left, Luton Town are clinging to Championship survival on goal difference. Back-to-back wins over Derby and Bristol City have reignited their hopes, and returning to fortress Kenilworth Road—where they’ve earned 31 of their 46 points—could prove crucial again.
Matt Bloomfield’s side are peaking at the right time, winning five of their last 10 games and conceding just four goals in their past six. Despite defensive injury concerns, the Hatters are grinding out results and showing the fight needed in a relegation scrap.
Coventry, clinging to the final playoff spot, were handed a setback with a 3-1 loss to Plymouth. Away form remains a concern as they’ve won just six of 22 road trips, and injuries to key players further complicate things.
The reverse fixture ended 3-2 to Coventry after a dramatic comeback, but revenge may be on the cards for Luton in this emotionally charged rematch of the 2023 playoff final. Luton to Win at 8/5 with BetFred is big enough for me.
Middlesbrough v Norwich City
With the playoff race heating up, Middlesbrough face a must-win clash at home to Norwich on Saturday. Boro sit seventh, just three points behind Coventry, and know that victory here could set up a final-day showdown for a top six finish. Despite three defeats in their last four, Michael Carrick’s side boast a strong home record—38 points from 22 games at the Riverside.
They’ll be confident of seeing off a Norwich team in transition, with Jack Wilshere taking temporary charge following Johannes Hoff Thorup’s departure. The Canaries have little left to play for and come into this one on a three-match losing streak. While their attack, led by 17-goal Borja Sainz and 15-goal Josh Sargent, remains potent, defensive issues have plagued them—conceding 66 goals this season and managing just four away wins.
Boro’s Tommy Conway and Finn Azaz (25 goal contributions combined) offer the firepower to match Norwich’s attack, and the hosts’ greater motivation and home strength should give them the edge.
Middlesbrough to Win and over 2.5 match goals is tasty at 11/10 with BoyleSports.
Millwall vs Swansea City
Millwall host Swansea in a high-stakes Championship clash on Saturday, with both sides chasing unlikely but possible playoff dreams. The Lions, three points off sixth-placed Coventry, have won four of their last five and are eyeing a historic playoff return for the first time since 2002. Victory at the Den would make it five consecutive home wins—a feat they haven’t managed in nine years.
Swansea, meanwhile, are clinging to faint playoff hopes of their own. Under interim boss Alan Sheehan, they've won five straight and taken 21 points from 11 games. However, with six points separating them from the top six and just two games to go, their fate is effectively out of their hands.
Millwall boast a strong recent record against Swansea, winning three of the last four H2Hs, including a 1-0 win in October. Despite Swansea’s resurgence, their leaky defence and Millwall’s fierce form at home should tilt this in the Lions’ favour.
Millwall to Win and BTTS at 9/2 with SkyBet is worthy of serious consideration.
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