Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg is looking forward to two attacking matches with Southampton as Boro's play-off fate was confirmed.

They ended the regular season with a rollercoaster 2-2 draw at Wrexham as their automatic promotion hopes were dashed by Ipswich Town's easy win over QPR.

It all meant that the Teessiders dropped one place from fourth to fifth with the first leg of their semi-final to be played at the Riverside Stadium next Saturday (12:30 BST).

"Two very good games of football probably," Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees.

"Two attack-minded teams that want to play, want to press, two great games of football and I'm looking forward to it."

The draw in north Wales made it four games unbeaten for Boro to end the regular season with 10 goals scored in that spell.

The seven-game winless run that preceded that effectively finished off their hopes of a top-two spot, but Hellberg was pleased with how his side tried everything to get the three points against the Dragons.

"We know we had a little chance to get second, but we gave it a shot," he said.

"When the opponent tries to also be forward thinking, they become good games that we're involved in and it was a good game today.

"At half-time, we understood Ipswich were going to win the game quite easily and we gave it a push. They tried to win it, which opened up a lot of space and we should have done that much, much better.

"That was the disappointing thing today, otherwise a lot of things were very good."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts and predictions before the final day Championship showdown in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League between Ipswich Town, Millwall and Middlesbrough.

To realistically finish in the top two, Boro must win and hope that Ipswich lose and Millwall fail to beat Oxford.

If the Tractor Boys draw, Kim Hellberg's side would need to win by six goals to overhaul them on goal difference - and it would also still require the Lions to not beat the U's.

Here are a selection of your responses:

Paul: We blew it a while back. Home games against weaker teams where we dropped points. Oxford and Pompey spring to mind. Those wins would've had us up.

Stephen: Big day coming up. One last roll of the dice. The Boro need three points and the others to drop points. That winless streak has cost automatic promotion. Just got to keep hoping and praying. Roll on Saturday. Up the Boro.

John: Boro have had their dip in form which has coincided with injuries to key players. The return of Whittaker, McGree, Castledine and Hackney will provide the momentum to get them up through the play-offs. They will also use the energy from the penalty decision at Ipswich and the 5-1 home win against Watford to get them over the line. Sixth time lucky to win at Wembley.

Andy: I have to say that if you asked me eight months ago, 'Would Boro be in the play-offs?' I'd have had your hand off! Retrospectively, I'd now say we have blown second place, but there's a slim chance we can do it Saturday.

Proud to support the Boro, I feel we are the best team in the mix, just that spell without a win in seven killed us. I think Ipswich deserve second place on their recent form... But who knows.

Andrew: Come on Boro! Keep up the winning momentum and we will go up. If we're lucky we'll be up with just one more win but if not we'll still go up with three more wins!

Jess: Middlesbrough have got to win. It's a tough ask at Wrexham. Not winning games they should have is probably going to cost them that automatic promotion place. But isn't it a brilliant way to finish, the fight for third place [via the play-offs]? Come on Boro!

There is a lot riding on this game for both sides when they meet on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Victory for Wrexham would give them a play-off spot unless Hull can claim victory by a bigger winning margin, while anything less could also open the door for Derby County to sneak into sixth place.

Middlesbrough already know they will at least be in the play-offs but a win might be enough to pinch the second automatic promotion place depending on the results for Ipswich and Millwall.

• This will be Wrexham's first home game against Middlesbrough in the Football League; the Red Dragons have won their first Football League home game against an opponent in seven of the past 10 occasions (D1 L2), most recently beating Ipswich 5-3 in February.

• Middlesbrough have lost both of their previous away games against Wrexham in all competitions, both in the FA Cup in 1973-74 (1-0) and 1999-00 (2-1).

• Wrexham have won their final match in each of their past four Football League seasons, their longest ever such run.

• Middlesbrough have lost their final game in three of the past five Championship seasons (W1 D1), as many as their previous 14 in the second tier beforehand (W7 D4 L3).

• Between 11 March and 22 April, Middlesbrough had 179 shots in eight Championship matches and scored just seven goals (4% conversion). In their last game against Watford, they had 20 shots and scored five goals (25%).

And so, after 45 Championship games, it all comes down to the final day...

Tell us, Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough fans, how are you feeling?

The Tractor Boys have the advantage going into Saturday's home game with QPR, knowing a win would seal automatic promotion.

But the Lions, one point behind in third place, will seek to keep the pressure on as they host Oxford United while fourth-placed Boro, two points back, head to Wrexham aiming for a win and hoping other results go their way to sneak back over the dotted line where they spent most of the season.

Do you think your side will reach the Premier League by 15:00 BST on Saturday? If not, how hard would it be for them to pick themselves up and go again in the play-offs?

Click here to have your say.

It is set to be an "absolutely brilliant" final day of the Championship promotion race on which "anything can happen", according to the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast team.

Tuesday's dramatic 2-2 draw between Southampton and Ipswich has left Town, Millwall and Middlesbrough to fight it out for the second automatic promotion place in the 46th and final round of games on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Ipswich are in pole position, a point ahead of Millwall, with a goal difference advantage of +17 on the Lions, but with Boro a point further back. Town know they must beat QPR at Portman Road to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Middlesbrough are at Wrexham, who need to secure a play-off spot, while Millwall host already-relegated Oxford United.

"It was a brilliant game," said EFL pundit Jobi McAnuff.

"We have spoken all season about how open the Championship has been. Coventry have been by far and away the best team, worthy winners, but for it to go into the last Saturday [is fantastic].

"Millwall, the team that just won't go away, they're still hanging in there, Middlesbrough, the team off the back of really poor form but with a couple of good results of late, anything can happen, it's going to be absolutely brilliant on Saturday."

Despite extending their unbeaten league run to 18 games, Saints bowed out of the race, sitting four points behind Ipswich, and will need to win the play-offs if they are to secure their own top-flight return.

"It's been a fantastic run. Everyone from afar was hoping they'd get in there, It's Roy of the Rovers stuff," said Bristol Rovers boss Steve Evans.

"In fairness, probably the teams that have been more consistent and better over the course of the season, they're the ones who are going to fight the final day shootout."

Even though he believes Ipswich have been "underwhelming" this season, McAnuff said he expects the Tractor Boys to prevail.

He said: "I expect them to go and finish the job now at home. They have got through what was a tricky run of away games ,which has really been their Achilles heel.

"Big win at Charlton, [point at] West Brom on Saturday and follow up by getting a point at the form team [Southampton].

"I think Kieran McKenna would have taken that before - make sure they're going into the last game of the season very much in control.

"We associate McKenna and Ipswich with that all-out attacking free-flowing football, they haven't found that rhythm this season, they have been a bit underwhelming, I have to say, with the quality they have in their squad.

"I believe they will get over the line but with this squad that's the bare minimum they should be doing this season."

Evans fears for McKenna's future if he is unable to guide Ipswich back to the Premier League.

"If Ipswich turn up and play as they can at Portman Road they'll be in the Premier League," he said.

"If they drop to the play-offs and lose and Kieran McKenna doesn't lead them to the Premier League then he might not lead them anywhere, that's how ruthless football is."

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg is happy his side remain in the hunt for automatic promotion after a more positive few days for the club.

They scored five goals in a league game for the first time since November 2024 as they thrashed Watford.

With Ipswich Town failing to win at West Bromwich Albion, Boro could still finish second although that is dependant on the Tractor Boys failing to win at Southampton on Tuesday night.

But after failing to win for seven matches, successive home wins over Sheffield Wednesday and now the Hornets have returned confidence to Boro's ranks.

They also banished issues at the Riverside, where they had not won a game since 31 January.

Now they will have to wait and see if anything is riding on their trip to Wrexham next Saturday or whether their sole focus will be on the play-offs.

"I talked about if we won the two home games, it has a big opportunity to take it to the last day, which we've done," Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees.

"It was also one thing to secure the play-offs, that we have done. Winning at home, that we have done. Scoring six goals, only conceding one - so that was a lot of important things going into this week.

"And we've also shown quality in the second half, in how good we can be, and in the game at Ipswich. So, it's a lot of things that have been very good with this week.

"There is a lot of energy going into the last days of the season, and I'm really, really looking forward to it."

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg said he was determined to take his side's automatic promotion hopes to the final day of the Championship season.

Boro go into the penultimate game, at home to Watford on Saturday (12:30 BST), in fifth place and trailing second-placed Ipswich Town by three points.

The Teessiders are also three behind Millwall, who are third, but level with fourth-placed Southampton on 76 points.

However, with the Saints hosting Ipswich on Tuesday, and at least one of those sides certain to pick up points, Boro must win at the Riverside to stand a realistic chance of going to Wrexham and being involved in a final-day shootout to go up behind champions Coventry City.

"We need to try to win our game and hope that can take it to the last day of the season," Hellberg said.

"If you're in it the last day of the season, all things can happen. In the last 90 minutes, a lot of things play a part in who succeeds or not. We're still in it to try to get there."

Victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday ended a barren run of seven games without a win for Boro, who had slipped from second to fifth.

But they will again be without Hayden Hackney, who has not played since 14 March because of a calf injury, for the visit of the Hornets.

However, Matt Targett, who went off a few minutes early against Wednesday sparking worries of an injury, is fit for the lunchtime kick-off.

After Middlesbrough got back to winning ways against Sheffield Wednesday, we asked whether you thought Boro were still in the fight for automatic promotion or if you're gearing up for the play-offs.

Here are some of your responses:

Stephen: A win is a win, regardless of how it comes about. We need an out-and-out striker.

If we had we would have been pushing Coventry even harder and be in a good, strong second place, not worrying about the teams behind us. Fingers crossed for the two last games, win and see how it goes.

Andrew S: There's still hope. We have had bad patches before. If we win every remaining game this season then we will be in the Premier League next season and we will keep Hayden Hackney.

Hopefully we will go up and stay up and have another run like we did in the 2000s when we were in Europe and reached the UEFA Cup final.

Andrew: Sadly the poor home form since February has cost Boro automatic promotion. Having all four teams head into the final day on 79 points would be incredible drama, but can't see it happening.

Ian: Little chance of top two. We have an injury problem - our strikers are fit! You wonder if we would be better not playing with strikers, roll on the play-offs.

Gareth: It's a shame that the wheels seem to have come off right at the end of the season. For a while I dared to dream that we were going up. So hoping for one more crack at the play-offs! Still, immensely proud of the Boro this season, and almost reminiscent of our famous UEFA Cup run.

Philip: Lack of firepower has been our down fall.

Mike: It's ridiculous that it should come to this - relying on other clubs to drop points. We had automatic promotion in our grasp for three quarters of the season and then were found out through lack of a good striker. Goals win games. Simples.

Middlesbrough will hope to keep their automatic promotion bid alive as they host Watford on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Boro won their first home game in seven league matches when Morgan Whittaker scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday.

But they are still three points adrift of the second spot with four teams all vying for the coveted second automatic promotion position.

• Middlesbrough have lost each of their last three league meetings with Watford, their longest ever losing run against the Hornets.

• Watford, 1-0 winners in this exact fixture last season, are looking to win back-to-back league visits to Middlesbrough for the first time since April 1992 (3 in a row).

• Middlesbrough have only won their final home league game in two of the last six seasons (D2 L2), although one of those was against Watford in 2023-24 (3-1).

• Watford have lost their final away league game in nine of the last 10 seasons (D1 – v Sunderland in 2022-23) since a 2-0 win at Brighton in 2014-15.

• Watford have lost each of their last three league games, all without scoring; outside of the top-flight, only from December 1971 to February 1972 have they ever lost more in a row without reply (7)

Okay, they made rather hard work of it, but Boro's winless streak at The Riverside is over after Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

Barring something truly extraordinary in the final two games of the season, which would need Boro to lose at home to Watford and at Wrexham on the final day, and two wins and a swing of more than a dozen in goal difference from the chasing pack, Boro are play-off bound, at least...

But they are also three points behind second place and the final automatic promotion place.

Six points to finish the season would make things very interesting, especially as two of the three sides in the race face each other next Tuesday as Southampton entertain Ipswich.

So how are you feeling, Boro fans? Are you plotting which play-off match-up would suit you best, or holding out hope that Millwall, Ipswich and Saints will drop points?

Click here to have your say.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg was pleased by his side's return to winning ways as they narrowly defeated Sheffield Wednesday at the Riverside - and he conceded that doing so in style was not a priority.

Morgan Whittaker scored the only goal of the game when he intercepted Gabriel Otegbayo's pass-back to Murphy Cooper and finished beyond the Owls goalkeeper in the 11th minute.

Things might have been more comfortable for Boro, whose automatic promotion hopes remain alive with two matches left to play, but they instead had to come through a nervy finish to seal all three points.

Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees: "It's difficult when you have not won in a long time, especially at home. In this kind of game, when you are not 3-0 or 4-0 up, you know it's going to be a tough last ten minutes.

"We could have scored two or three, which would have made it easier for us. You can feel that we haven't won at home in a while, and everyone gets nerves. We had to switch momentum - we backed up a top performance on Sunday with a win here.

"It wasn't a good game from us in general, but that does not matter.

"It didn't matter how it looked, to be fair. It didn't matter how we scored. We just needed to score, needed to win - and we did, against a team who hadn't lost in three."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, Opta

Middlesbrough will seek to end their Riverside hoodoo when basement-boys Sheffield Wednesday visit on Wednesday night (19:45 BST).

Boro have taken just three points from their past six home games to fall off the pace in the promotion race, sitting three points behind second-placed Ipswich, who have a game in hand, after Town's late leveller in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road on Sunday.

Millwall and Southampton have the chance to pull six and five points clear of fifth-placed Boro respectively with matches on Tuesday night while the Tractor Boys are also in action on Wednesday at Charlton.

The Owls have drawn their past three games, their joint longest unbeaten run of the campaign along with September, when they also picked up their only league win of a torrid campaign in an away game at Portsmouth.

• Following their 1-0 win in October, Middlesbrough are looking to complete the league double over Sheffield Wednesday for the first time since 2015-16, when they were last promoted to the Premier League.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won just one of their past six league games against Middlesbrough (D2 L3), a 2-1 home win in April 2025.

• Middlesbrough are winless in their past six home league games (D3 L3), losing each of the previous two; they last lost three in a row in April 2022.

• Sheffield Wednesday have lost 15 of their 21 away games in the Championship this season (W1 D5); only in 1946-47 and 2020-21 have they suffered more away losses in a second tier campaign (both 16).

• No player has been involved in more home league goals for Middlesbrough this season than Hayden Hackney (8 – 3 goals, 5 assists); it's just one fewer than his previous three seasons in the competition combined (9 – 6 goals, 3 assists).

In the wake of Sunday's frustrating late draw at Ipswich, we asked whether Boro fans thought their hopes of automatic promotion were over, and even if a play-off spot might be in doubt with three games remaining.

Here are some of your responses:

Barry: It was over after the Portsmouth game. It wasn't lost or finalised after Ipswich, I'd say the Charlton loss (on 11 March) was the turning point.

Gary: If I was given the chance of our position now at the start of the season I would have taken it.

Andrew: Middlesbrough's automatic promotion hopes ended a long time ago. It's going to be difficult for them to stay in the top six now.

Norman: Lucky if they're in the play-offs.

Ian: We travelled down to Portman Road, saw a great performance from the Boro. Victory was assured until the soft penalty. The referee did not have a good game and the Boro fans were on his back. Did that effect his judgement?

Vic: Don't know what it is but I'm a Coventry fan and have now become a Boro fan because of our battles and similar playing styles... also a big fan of Bob Mortimer. I really hope you get promoted with us.