Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has given his prediction for who will make the Championship play-offs.

The ex-Nottingham Forest player believes that it will be difficult for Middlesbrough or Millwall to break into the top six places.

Despite the pressure of the moment, as the campaign draws to a close this weekend, the 40-year-old believes it will be Luton Town and Sheffield United who make the end of season promotion shootout.

Those two sides have the points advantage going into the weekend as they face Reading and Fulham respectively.

Prutton believes that both teams can finish the job and get themselves over the line to earn a play-off place.

However, the former midfielder does think that the two outsiders will do everything they can to heap the pressure on the two current occupants of the available top six places.

“Sheffield United are in pole position, occupying fifth spot and their own fate very much in their hands,” wrote Prutton, via Sky Sports.

“Facing the champions Fulham is a daunting prospect, and their demolition of Luton on Monday evening to seal the title showed that they aren't quite on the beach just yet.

“I do worry for Luton. They have all kinds of injury issues to worry about, and their goal difference took a real kicking at Craven Cottage. 

“They do, however, have a fairly kind fixture at home against Reading.”

 

 

Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest have already secured their places in the play-offs. 

But Bournemouth has earned the second automatic promotion spot, giving the Reds and Carlos Corberan’s side little incentive to push too hard on the final day of the season.

All games take place on May 7, with a 12.30pm kick-off time.

The Verdict

It is certainly the safest option to predict things will remain the same, given who Sheffield United and Luton face.

However, there is so much pressure riding on that final match that really anything can happen.

As long as Millwall and Middlesbrough keep up their end of the bargain and get victories in their games then they still have a chance of sneaking in on the final day.

It is certainly a huge advantage to the two inside the top six already, any kind of slip-up will be season-defining, which could play on the minds of those taking the pitch on Saturday.