The fight for promotion to the Premier League has taken a dramatic turn after Middlesbrough’s defeat to Millwall.

Middlesbrough’s Championship promotion hopes have taken a dramatic turn after losing at home to Millwall. Former striker Josh Coburn’s second-half brace completed the Lions’ comeback triumph, putting them three points ahead of Kim Hellberg’s side.

Dael Fry had put the hosts ahead with a back-post header, but Alex Neil’s half-time team talk did wonders as Millwall rallied to make it five wins in a row. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, has gone four games without a win, losing to Blackburn and Bristol City before the international break.

This has resulted in a huge loss in their lead over play-off opponents, with Millwall now in second place. Ipswich Town and Hull City are now hot on their tails, with Southampton and Wrexham also not too far behind.

Middlesbrough’s last six Championship fixtures

Swansea (A) – April 6

Portsmouth (H) – April 11

Ipswich (A) – April 19

Sheffield Wednesday (H) – April 22

Watford (H) – April 25

Wrexham (A) – May 2

Verdict: Middlesbrough has not won since early March, and every game will appear difficult in the coming weeks, with their Bank Holiday weekend of play continuing on Monday when they face Swansea away.

Their next opponents are relegation-threatened Portsmouth, in what will be a pivotal game for both ends of the table. The following weekend, Boro face Ipswich in a vital six-pointer before hosting demoted Sheffield Wednesday in a must-win match.

The Riverside hosts their penultimate game, with Watford travelling north before finishing the season away to Wrexham. The hope is that automatic promotion has already been obtained or will occur on that day.

Millwall’s last six Championship fixtures

Norwich (H) – April 6

West Brom (A) – April 11

QPR (H) – April 18

Stoke (A) – April 21

Leicester City (A) – April 25

Oxford United (H) – May 2

Verdict: Given their matches between now and the end of the season, Millwall will be confident of remaining second. They do not face any of the top eight, with their most challenging match coming up against ninth-placed Norwich.

West Brom, Leicester City, and Oxford United are all in danger of relegation and face Millwall in the coming weeks. They also host QPR and travel to Stoke later this month, looking to build on their big success against Middlesbrough.

Ipswich’s last seven Championship fixtures

Birmingham (H) – April 6

Norwich (A) – April 11

Portsmouth (A) – April 14

Middlesbrough (H) – April 19

Charlton (A) – April 22

West Brom (A) – April 25

Southampton (A) – April 28

QPR (H) – May 2

Verdict: Crucially, Ipswich have two games in hand on their promotion rivals, with away games against Portsmouth and Southampton. Before either of those, games against Birmingham and Norwich are on the schedule.

Five days after their first game in hand, they welcome Boro to Portman Road for the first of four games in nine days. The remaining fixtures are all away, with Charlton, West Brom, and Saints as their opponents.

Kieran Mckenna’s side finishes the season at home to QPR.

Hull City’s last six Championship fixtures

Coventry (H) – April 6

Sheffield United (A) – April 11

Birmingham (H) – April 18

Leicester (A) – April 22

Charlton (A) – April 25

Norwich (H) – May 2

Hull have the most difficult assignment of those close to Middlesbrough, with games against Coventry City and Sheffield United coming up next.

Birmingham, Leicester, Charlton, and Norwich are their final four fixtures, with Sergej Jakirovic’s team having to gain momentum to cut the deficit, which they have struggled to achieve in recent months.