Millwall eye 'fairytale' ahead of Hull clash as Championship play-offs begin

Following 46 games in the regular season of England's second division, four sides are left competing for promotion as the play-off semi finals start on Friday.

The Championship champions Coventry along with runners up Ipswich earned direct promotion, while Millwall ended third, Southampton fourth, Middlesbrough fifth, and Hull sixth.

In the 40th year of the Football League play offs, the extra matches promise to be thrilling, full of excitement and disappointment.

Hull will welcome Millwall for the opening match of their semi final on Friday, pitting two surprise qualifiers against each other.

Millwall have not competed in the Premier League since its creation in 1992, with their sole top flight appearances in English football being the 1988/89 and 1989/90 seasons under the First Division name.

The club from south London, who trailed Ipswich by only one point, are reaching the second tier play offs for the first time since 2002.

It marks an impressive year, especially considering their wage bill places 15th out of the 24 teams in the Championship.

Millwall manager Alex Neil, who guided Norwich to the Premier League through the play offs in 2015, sees elevating the Lions as his top accomplishment.

"We have reached the play offs after an incredible campaign, yet much remains to be decided," Neil stated to BBC Radio London.

"For this squad and their accomplishments, I feel they merit a real reward at the conclusion, beyond mere congratulations.

"We are aiming for a storybook conclusion."

'A brilliant chance'

Opposing Millwall stand Hull, who beat expectations to secure a play off spot just one year after escaping demotion to the third division on the final matchday.

Hull's last Premier League stint was in 2016/17, and they seek to be the initial team to rise from the Championship play offs via a sixth place finish since Blackpool did so 16 years back.

Southampton, heading to Middlesbrough for their opening fixture on Saturday, lead as favourites with bookmakers following a strong finish to the campaign.

Tonda Eckert's group were stuck in 15th in January, but a streak of 19 unbeaten league outings, including 14 victories, propelled them into the top six.

The Saints also stunned Premier League frontrunners Arsenal in the FA Cup last eight before a close defeat to Manchester City in the semi finals at Wembley.

Southampton, who dropped from the Premier League last term, look to get back to Wembley for the play off final on May 23, after succeeding via this path in 2024.

"In the end, nobody remembers if you fall short. We must complete that final push," Eckert remarked.

Middlesbrough have been absent from the Premier League for nine years, falling in the play off semi finals in 2018 and 2023.

Kim Hellberg's outfit managed only two wins in their final 10 games this year.

However, similar to the other managers in the play offs, Hellberg remains upbeat about claiming promotion at the intense play off conclusion.

"We enter the play offs. Four teams, 25% opportunity - a fantastic opportunity," he commented.