With seven rounds of fixtures remaining and every club having played 39 games, the 2025/26 Championship season is entering its most critical phase. Only two clubs can be considered certain of their fate, leaving the vast majority with plenty still to fight for.
Sheffield Wednesday are already mathematically relegated after a string of points deductions, guaranteed to finish bottom. At the other end, Coventry sit nine points clear of second place and 11 ahead of the play-off spots. Frank Lampard’s side have not been officially promoted yet, but it is now a matter of when, not if.
Promotion race
Behind Coventry, the battle for the second automatic promotion spot is tight. Middlesbrough lead the chasing pack on 71 points, with Ipswich and Millwall both a point behind on 69. None of the three have been able to capitalise on each other’s slip-ups in recent weeks, and last weekend’s clash between Millwall and Ipswich ended 1-1, leaving things as they were. Middlesbrough, however, still have to face both rivals in their remaining fixtures, meaning automatic promotion is very much in their own hands.
Play-off picture
The race for the play-offs has tightened, with Hull and Southampton currently occupying fifth and sixth, closely followed by Wrexham and Derby. Hull on 66 points look well placed, with most of their remaining games coming against lower-half sides. Southampton have been in outstanding form since late January, unbeaten in 12 Championship matches, and face Wrexham and Derby in their next two league games, results that could prove season-defining. Wrexham sit just outside the top six on goal difference but face a tough finish, with their final two games against Coventry and Middlesbrough. Derby remain in contention but also face Coventry and Southampton among their remaining fixtures.
Relegation battle
Below Wednesday, Oxford and Leicester are both in the bottom three on 39 points, with Portsmouth one point above them on 40. West Brom and Blackburn are slightly more comfortable on 43 points each, though neither can relax. West Brom have back-to-back wins and clean sheets to their name, while Oxford have also shown some form with three wins in their last five. Portsmouth are in the most precarious position of the group, having lost five of their last six fixtures and urgently needing a response.
One notable quirk in the run-in is that most clubs still have a game against already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday, which could offer a valuable boost to survival hopefuls. The Owls have won just once all season but, with nothing to lose, may yet play an influential role in deciding who drops into League One alongside them.
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