Middlesbrough have guaranteed themselves at least a top-six spot for the EFL Championship promotion playoffs, but Kim Hellberg’s squad also remain alive for an automatic berth as well.
Boro’s 5-1 win over Watford on Saturday paired with weekend draws for both Millwall and Ipswich Town have kept the slim hopes alive for the Teesside club to crack the top-two. Hellberg’s squad sit fourth in the league table on 79 points, one point back of second-place Ipswich Town and third-place Millwall.
American midfielder Aidan Morris has continued to be a key starter for Middlesbrough this season, most recently logging his latest 90 minutes on Saturday. Morris bounced back from an ankle injury last fall to retain his starting spot in 2026, taking his season appearance tally up to 41 (career-high).
With Haji Wright and Coventry City already clinching the league title and one of the automatic promotion spots this spring, Morris will aim to join his U.S. men’s national team teammate in the Premier League next season.
Here is a closer look at Boro’s remaining schedule, as well as what needs to happen for them to clinch a top-two spot:
- Second-place Ipswich Town faces a trip to fifth-place Southampton on Tuesday in both clubs’ match in hand before closing their regular season schedules also on May 2. A victory for Ipswich Town would give them 83 points heading into the final day, officially ending Middlesbrough’s opportunity to reach the top-two. Millwall would only remain alive at that stage to catch Ipswich Town on the final day.
- A draw between Ipswich Town and Southampton, or a Saints victory at St. Mary’s would keep Boro alive heading into the final day. A draw would move Ipswich Town up to 81 points and Southampton up to 77 points.
- Should Saints win against Ipswich Town, they would tie Boro on 79 points apiece, keeping both teams one point back of Ipswich Town and Millwall.
- Middlesbrough will travel to sixth-place side Wrexham in both clubs’ regular season finale on May 2, knowing a victory is ultimately what’s needed to crack the top-two.
- Wrexham have not yet clinched a playoff spot, sitting in front of seventh-place Hull City on goal difference and seventh-place Derby County by one point. Phil Parkinson will be expected to put out a strong team knowing dropped points against Boro paired with results for Hull City and/or Derby County could see them miss out on the playoffs.
- Ipswich Town holds the edge on goal differential, leading with a +30 mark. Middlesbrough are second at +25 while Southampton are right behind them on +24.
- Ipswich Town hosts QPR on the final day while Southampton visits Preston North End and Millwall hosts already-relegated Oxford United. Middlesbrough will have the toughest matchup on the final day.