Zack Steffen and Ethan Horvath have excelled on loan in the English Football League Championship and following Wednesday’s league results, both have been guaranteed a spot in the upcoming promotion playoffs.
Middlesbrough’s 3-1 home win over Hull City and Luton Town’s 1-1 draw with Reading was enough to clinch both teams berths into the four-team playoff round. Both Middlesbrough and Luton Town are mathematically alive to catch second place Sheffield United for the final automatic promotion spot, but would need to win their respective league matches and hope that the Blades lose their remaining four.
Steffen registered his first professional assist on Wednesday, which led to the eventual winning goal in Middlesbrough’s 3-1 comeback win over the Tigers at the Riverside Stadium. The Manchester City loanee also made two saves as Michael Carrick’s squad claimed back-to-back victories and claimed their 22nd league victory of the campaign.
Steffen’s over-the-top pass in the 58th minute helped Middlesbrough take a 2-1 lead as Cameron Archer slotted home his ninth league goal of the season. The hosts would slam the door shut just three minutes later as Chuba Akpom’s 28th league goal capped the final score at 3-1.
Horvath made one save as Luton Town rallied against 10-man Reading to earn a 1-1 road draw. Carlton Morris’ 19th league goal of the season cancelled out Andy Carroll’s opening strike for the Royals as the Hatters extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches.
Horvath is tied with Coventry City’s Ben Wilson for the EFL Championship Golden Glove award as both goalkeepers have 19 clean sheets apiece. Steffen is ranked 14th in the league with nine shutouts of his own.
Steffen and Horvath will square off for the second time this season as Middlesbrough travels to Luton Town on Monday. Both goalkeepers are currently on loan from their respective EPL parent clubs, but could be on the move this summer pending what happens in the promotion playoffs.