Jobi McAnuff reveals which two Champions clubs are under more ‘pressure’ than anyone else in play-off race

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Jobi McAnuff believes that two Championship sides will be feeling the heat more than any other in the play-off race.

With one game of the season to go, the fixtures will have a huge say on the play-off outcome, with as many as five teams still in the mix to finish inside the top six.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	45	28	13	4	93	29	64	97
2	BurnleyBurnley	45	27	16	2	66	15	51	97
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	45	28	7	10	62	35	27	89
4	SunderlandSunderland	45	21	13	11	58	43	15	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	45	17	16	12	57	53	4	67
6	CoventryCoventry	45	19	9	17	62	58	4	66
7	MillwallMillwall	45	18	12	15	46	46	0	66
8	BlackburnBlackburn	45	19	8	18	52	47	5	65
9	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	45	18	10	17	64	54	10	64

Bristol City have the easiest fixture on paper, playing against relegation-threatened Preston North End while Millwall have the toughest test, an away trip to Burnley, who can still win the league.

Blackburn Rovers have an equally difficult game, travelling to Sheffield United and in the game of the day, Coventry City host Middlesbrough in what could be a straight shootout for that final spot.

Opta thinks Bristol City and Coventry will keep their spots and ahead of the weekend’s games, McAnuff believes the pressure is on them two to deliver.

• READ MORE: Coventry City vs Middlesbrough result decided by supercomputer with Championship play-off spot on the line

Jobi McAnuff says it’s Bristol City and Coventry’s ‘to lose’

Speaking on the EFL Podcast on BBC Sounds, the former Football League star claimed that the two teams in the driving seat have more riding on it than those in the chasing pack.

He said: “The pressure is on those sides who are already in there. That’s what I find when I’ve been in these situations myself.

“You feel it’s yours to lose. I think if you are going into it on the outside of it, you can have a little bit more of an open mentality.

“Whereas if you are Bristol City or Coventry at the moment, who are in there, there’s a little bit more of that tension of maybe messing it up.”

When are the 2025 Championship play-offs?

Now that the domestic season is coming to a close, all eyes will be when the play-off dates are.

Before the final showdown at Wembley Stadium, the four teams competing will have to play in two, two-legged semi-finals.

Third will play sixth and fourth will play fifth, with the side finishing highest usually at home in the second leg.

The play-off semi-final dates are:

• Semi-final one: Thursday May 8 and Monday May 12
• Semi-final two: Friday 9 May and Tuesday 13 May

Play off-final:

• Saturday 24 May