A rollercoaster race to the Premier League - who will hold their nerve?

A rollercoaster race to the Premier League - who will hold their nerve?Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, One of Ipswich, Millwall, Southampton or Middlesbrough will be a Premier League team by 2 MayByAdam LaniganBBC Sport EnglandPublished17 April 2026, 14:14 BST10 CommentsUpdated 39 minutes agoAs Coventry City prepare to uncork the champagne and celebrate promotion back to the Premier League after 25 long years away, the race to join them is suddenly as clear as mud.Coventry just need a point at Blackburn on Friday evening to secure automatic promotion to the top-flight.But the battle behind them for an automatic slot is promising to go down to the wire.With a two-point advantage and two games in hand, Ipswich Town seemingly held all the aces. But the 2-0 loss at Portsmouth on Tuesday was a perfect reminder that nothing ever runs without a glitch in the Championship.Millwall, in third, have pricked up their ears again, while Southampton are coming up on the rails on the back of a six-game winning run that has catapulted them into fourth.Even Middlesbrough, whose form has deserted them at the wrong time with three draws and three losses as they sit in fifth - their lowest position of the season - could still be celebrating automatic promotion on 2 May.And with Ipswich facing Boro and Saints in two of their final four games, trying to second guess who comes second has become almost impossible.Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Ipswich are aiming for a fourth promotion to the Premier LeagueFlattering to deceiveIpswich Town - second on 75ptsIpswich were pre-season favourites for promotion back in August, so sitting second with five games to play should be regarded as expected.Despite that position, there has been something a little underwhelming about how the Tractor Boys have gone about this campaign and certainly nowhere near the excitement of their promotion charge under Kieran McKenna two years ago.They have a stacked squad which was strengthened furthe...