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A closer look at Aidan Morris, Middlesbrough’s promotion quest

Middlesbrough have guaranteed themselves at least a top-six spot for the EFL Championship promotion playoffs, but Kim Hellberg’s squad also remains 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, two points back of second-place Ipswich Town and one point back of 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:


  • Ipswich Town’s 2-2 road draw with Southampton on Tuesday means that the Tractor Boys, Millwall, and Middlesbrough all remain alive in the race for a second-place finish.
  • 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. A draw or defeat would officially send Boro to the playoffs.
  • In addition to a Boro win, Ipswich Town and Millwall would both have to slip away in their matches. Victories for all three clubs would see Ipswich Town clinch top-two and both Millwall and Middlesbrough head to the playoffs.
  • 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 entirely.
  • Ipswich Town holds the edge on goal differential, leading with a +30 mark. Middlesbrough are second at +25 while Millwall are far back at +13.
  • Ipswich Town hosts QPR on the final day while Millwall hosts already-relegated Oxford United. Middlesbrough will have the toughest matchup on the final day in a battle of fourth vs. sixth.

Comments

    • JR,

      If Ipswich chokes, Middlesbrough still has an outside shot at 2nd place and automatic promotion.

      If that happens and Derby gets into the playoffs (unlikely but possible) and wins them, we could have at least three new players in the EPL next season:

      Haji, Morris, Patrick.

      Much as I like the Wrexham narrative, that would be fun.

      Reply

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