Adam Armstrong reveals what Middlesbrough, West Brom, Coventry and Bristol City can’t do in ‘crazy’ Championship play-off run-in

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The play-off picture looks as exciting as ever at the business end of the Championship season, with five teams seemingly in the race for the fifth and sixth spots.

The financial reward of promotion is a huge factor, but as is the glory of leading a team to the Premier League for each of the current play-off contenders involved at the top of the Championship.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	LeedsLeeds	40	23	13	4	79	28	51	82
4	SunderlandSunderland	40	21	12	7	57	37	20	75
5	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	40	17	9	14	61	49	12	60
6	Bristol CityBristol City	40	15	15	10	51	43	8	60
7	CoventryCoventry	40	17	8	15	57	53	4	59
8	West BromWest Brom	40	13	18	9	48	36	12	57
9	MillwallMillwall	40	14	12	14	39	41	-2	54

Bristol City have been the dark horses for much of the campaign, while West Brom have a disappointing play-off record they must overcome. The run-in for the play-off chasers is bound to have more twists and turns to come in the meantime, though.

The weekend’s results saw the landscape change once more at the top, with Middlesbrough reclaiming fifth for the first time in 12 matchdays. Meanwhile Coventry City’s fixtures look more favourable now that three of the top four are out of the way and Millwall continue to creep up the table.

• READ MORE: Championship play-off dates, fixtures, and teams in Premier League promotion mix

West Brom’s Adam Armstrong sends play-off warning

Southampton’s win over Leeds United was not one of the best play-off finals ever, but Adam Armstrong’s winning goal was enough to settle the game at Wembley. He has since taken the chance to move back to the Championship with ‘both hands’.

Armstrong was asked what is needed mentally to make the difference for his new club, especially given the competition involved in the top six battle. The West Brom forward said: “You can’t let anything get to you.

“You can’t worry about the last result or look at the league table. Like you say, there’s so many teams who can get in the play-offs.

“It’s crazy which is why — although cliche, we focus on each game and try not to focus on the ones which have just been.

“You have to switch onto the next test and a lot of what getting into the top six can boil down to is your form heading into it.

“For Saints last year, we had form at the right times, had a big unbeaten run, but then had a bad spell towards the end.

“So, it was quite lucky we were almost certain to get the play-offs which meant the bad spell wasn’t as damaging.

“But getting a good run of form now is key to us getting in those top places and that’s what we’ll be trying to start.”

The Baggies may eye Armstrong permanently this summer but they weren’t the only side in the race for his services, but Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick opted for Kelechi Iheanacho instead, as we exclusively revealed.

• READ MORE: Championship at risk of ‘boring’ event that’s happened just once in the last 10 years

What Opta’s supercomputer is predicting for the Championship play-offs

It’s arguably a long shot for Millwall and that two of the four sides above them are the most likely to achieve a place in the semi-finals, which Opta agree with by handing them a 1.56% chance. Unless they pick up a huge few wins in the coming games, they are likely to be out of the race.

Boro are now the favourites at 58.66%, while Bristol City are just behind on 54.86%. There are still strong chances for Cov and WBA, but their chances took a significant hit this weekend. Tony Mowbray’s side are now out at 33.22%, while Frank Lampard and co. are sat on 49.22%.

The clash between the Robins and the Baggies on Tuesday night looks to be a significant one this week, while Boro host Leeds. That could allow Coventry to win back their spot, with the most favourable fixture of each of the teams playing this midweek.