Championship run-in: Fulham ready for Premier League return as Millwall and QPR eye late play-off charge

Getty Images

A long Championship season is nearing a conclusion as clubs return from the international break hoping to make a late run up the table.

Promotion and another return to the Premier League looks almost certain for Fulham, but the fight for the play-off places is well and truly alive and looks set to go down to the wire.

We take a look at what the Championship run-in could have in store.

In the last-chance saloon

Play-off chasing Millwall and QPR can’t afford any slip-ups

Millwall’s hopes of a late surge into the play-off places could hinge on their game at Luton on Saturday.

Win, and the Lions could be one point from sixth. Lose, and they are likely to be seven points out with seven games to play, surely giving them too much to do.

Led by talisman Jed Wallace, Gary Rowett’s side have tended to rise to the big occasions and should have a raft of injured players back for the run-in.

Fans are grumbling about Rowett’s conservative football — they failed to have a single shot in the recent 0-0 draw at Blackburn — but a play-off push would energise the fanbase.

Getty Images

QPR’s momentum is going the other way and their play-off dream is in jeopardy after four defeats from their previous five games. Manager Mark Warbuton will be hoping for a reset after the international break, although it gets no easier with runaway Fulham the visitors tomorrow.

QPR have shipped more goals than any side in the top 15 this season, so Warburton’s priority will be tightening up the defence for the run-in.

The return of striker Lyndon Dykes from injury is a boost.

Things are looking up

Free-scoring Fulham already planning for next season

For Fulham, the question has long since turned from whether they can return to the Premier League at the first time of asking to whether they can finally halt their yo-yo cycle and stay up next term.

Marco Silva has the strongest squad in the Championship but deserves credit for building a thrilling side who have outscored nearest rivals Bournemouth by more than 30 goals, thanks in large part to Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Their main focus during the run-in will be smashing records and prepping for the top flight next season.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in