Overview
- Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg said his team probably must win their final five matches to secure second place and automatic promotion.
- Hellberg acknowledged Ipswich are in pole position because they have two games in hand and a stronger goal difference than their rivals.
- The race for the second automatic spot is level on 72 points for Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Millwall, with small margins now decisive.
- Middlesbrough have two wins in their last 10 and no home win in five, and Hellberg said too many draws, especially at the Riverside, have stalled progress.
- Next up, Middlesbrough host Portsmouth before a visit to Ipswich for a head-to-head that could reshape the run-in, as pundit Jobi McAnuff tips Ipswich to finish second.