As the 2025/26 EFL Championship season reaches its climax, the lunchtime kick-offs on Saturday, April 25, 2026, represent a critical junction in the race for the Premier League. With Frank Lampard’s Coventry City already having secured the title and the first automatic promotion spot, all eyes are on the battle for second place.
At 12:30 BST, two pivotal fixtures will dictate the fate of the main protagonists: Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town. While Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich currently hold the advantage, Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough remain in a position where they must capitalize on any slip-up to keep their slim automatic promotion dreams alive.
Middlesbrough vs. Watford
Riverside Stadium | 12:30 BST
Odds: Home 1.39, Draw 4.75, Away 6.50
Middlesbrough enter this fixture under the guidance of Kim Hellberg, who has revitalized the Teessiders since taking over in November 2025. Currently sitting 5th with 76 points, Boro’s path to the top two is mathematically narrow, but their form at the Riverside has been a cornerstone of their campaign.
The return of Morgan Whittaker has been a significant boost for Hellberg; Whittaker scored the decisive goal in their recent 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, taking his season tally to 11. Alongside midfield linchpin Hayden Hackney, Whittaker provides the creative spark necessary to break down a Watford side that has struggled for consistency.
Watford, led by Ed Still, find themselves in 15th place with 57 points. Having lost four of their last five matches, the Hornets have little to play for other than pride. Their defensive lapses were evident in a recent 3-0 defeat at The Hawthorns, and facing a desperate Middlesbrough side in front of a sell-out crowd suggests a difficult afternoon for the visitors. Given the 1.39 price on a home win, the markets clearly favor Hellberg’s side to do their part in the promotion race.
West Brom vs. Ipswich Town
The Hawthorns | 12:30 BST
Odds: Home 3.70, Draw 3.90, Away 1.86
The stakes are highest for Ipswich Town. Managed by Kieran McKenna, the Tractor Boys sit in 2nd place with 79 points and, crucially, a game in hand over their closest rivals, Millwall. After being relegated from the Premier League last season, Ipswich are on the verge of an immediate return to the top flight.
McKenna’s side has shown remarkable resilience, maintaining a 50% win rate throughout a grueling 46-game schedule. Despite a recent draw against Middlesbrough and a loss to Portsmouth, they remain the favorites to secure the second automatic spot. With a 1.86 away price, the bookmakers expect Ipswich to navigate this tricky trip to the West Midlands successfully.
West Bromwich Albion sit in 18th place. While they are now mathematically safe from relegation following their 3-0 victory over Watford, they have struggled for momentum this season. However, they remain unbeaten in their last six home matches at The Hawthorns. While they lack the promotion incentive driving Ipswich, their role as “spoiler” cannot be discounted in what is expected to be a high-intensity encounter.
The Automatic Promotion Outlook
The race for the final automatic promotion spot is effectively a three-way fight between Ipswich Town (79 pts, 43 games), Millwall (79 pts, 44 games), and Middlesbrough (76 pts, 44 games).
- Ipswich Town: A win against West Brom would put them in a commanding position. Even a draw would keep them ahead of Millwall on goal difference with a game still in hand.
- Middlesbrough: For Boro, nothing less than three points will suffice. They must win against Watford and hope that West Brom can pull off an upset against Ipswich. If results go their way, the final day could become a historic scramble for the Premier League.
Prediction: Middlesbrough’s home dominance and Watford’s poor away form make a Home Win (1.39) the most logical outcome at the Riverside. Meanwhile, Ipswich’s superior quality and the tactical consistency of Kieran McKenna should see them edge a competitive game at The Hawthorns (Away Win 1.86), inching them closer to the Premier League.
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