Championship promotion race predicted with Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough in shootout

It all comes down to this, then. The 46th and final game of another enthralling Championship campaign is upon us and we are still in the dark over who will join Coventry City in ascending to the Premier League . Yes, Ipswich Town would seem to be in pole position. They start the day in second place and have their destiny in their own hands, knowing that victory against a QPR side with little but pride to play for will clinch an instant return to England's top division. But the Championship is as unpredictable as it is unforgiving and two sides are ready to pounce if Kieran McKenna's men fluff their lines. Millwall are just a point worse off than Ipswich in third and if they win their home game against already-relegated Oxford and the Tractor Boys drop points against QPR, they will become a Premier League team for the first time in their history. Then there's Middlesbrough, a point further back who could profit if both Ipswich and Millwall fail to win, although beating play-off chasing Wrexham away from home is no foregone conclusion. The prize could not be bigger, so all eyes will be on the Championship this afternoon. We asked the Mirror Football team how they see the promotion race playing out... Everything is in Ipswich’s hands. That is either a great place to be or a nerve-wracking situation with the pressure building. But I think Ipswich take second place. They face a QPR side with little to play for (I hate saying nothing) at Portman Road and that looks a decent final fixture. What is a little bit of a worry is a few recent wobbles. That is when nerves creep in and Millwall should be ready to pounce if there is an Ipswich slip. Millwall have battled the odds all season and are playing with no pressure. That’s a big advantage. Millwall have been great and at home to Oxford is a gift. Middlesbrough need a lot to go their way - plus a win at Wrexham - and that looks tricky. What really intrigues me is what Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna does next. Does he stay for another crack at Premier League survival? Or go now with his reputation restored and clubs keen on him? I think it may well be the latter. I love the way the EFL build this final day. It’s exciting. My next door neighbour is an Ipswich fan. It’s normally me making all the noise watching the football. She might be even louder on Saturday. I hope so! I'd love to see Millwall get to the Premier League, but it's hard to see them reaching the promised land today. Ipswich could have hardly asked for a better fixture to secure their immediate return to the top flight. They face a QPR side who have thrown the towel in on this season and have lost their last three. Rangers are not just on the beach. They're in their speedos, have a six pack of lagers on the go and are having a good old paddle in the Mediterranean. They must be on their mettle, because it's hard to see Millwall not keeping their side of the bargain against already-relegated Oxford. But the Tractor Boys will surely get the job done. That consigns the Lions and Middlesbrough to the playoffs, where the threat of a resurgent Southampton looms large. Rather than a sprint to the line, the promotion race has become a contest of who can stumble through the rope and into the Premier League. Ipswich should already have the (P) next to their name, but after picking up just six points from a possible 15, they will have to contend with the nerves on the final day. Millwall, who looked to be timing their run perfectly, have dropped points to Blackburn, West Brom and already relegated Leicester last time out. How costly could that prove? Middlesbrough's stutter has felt months long, with much of their hard work done in the early months of the season. Saturday promises to be nervy and tense, but the fact Ipswich have a QPR side who may rock up to Portman Road in flip flops and a beach towel, should mean the Tractor Boys get over the line. Millwall and Boro will have to dust themselves down quickly though, Southampton - whose own automatic charge came up agonisingly short - may be the team to beat in the play-offs. I'm incredibly biased (and maybe this is just wishful thinking) but pressure can do funny things. Yes, Ipswich are favourites and so they should be: many people had them as runaway bankers to go up before a ball was even kicked this season. They have a squad worthy of the top two. I've watched plenty of them this season and have always felt like they still have gears to go through. But we've played 45 games now. And the table doesn't lie, so perhaps that isn't coming. They may have a favourable home game against a team with little to play for, but they have already had ample opportunities to put this race to bed without doing it - so why wouldn't Millwall and Middlesbrough fancy their chances of beating them to the punch? I obviously hope it will be the former who finish second, although I am wary that having a home game against a team already down feels too good to be true. But stick with me. Millwall have punched above the odds all season and to be in this conversation on the final day is already a triumph for a club with our budget. Sometimes the stars just align. This has been the best Millwall season in a generation, so I'll go against the grain here and back them to finish it in style. Ipswich didn't get the job done at St Mary's on Tuesday night, but they will do at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon. QPR are no Southampton - they are mid-table and with very little to play for. The Tractor Boys showed their strengths against the in-form Saints and have more than enough firepower to get over the line, clinch second place and seal promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Kieran McKenna was encouraged by the spirit his side showed after going 2-1 down against Southampton and their strength off the bench is a real asset. Millwall will beat relegated Oxford at The Den, but will come up just short, while Middlesbrough have by far the toughest fixture, against Wrexham, who need to win to secure sixth. I can see a play-off final between Millwall and Saints and think Tonda Eckert's side might well follow Ipswich and Coventry up. I think Ipswich will earn an instant promotion back to the Premier League. Kieran McKenna’s side have just about been the best of the rest in the Championship this season so I reckon they’ll get over the line against a QPR side that has very little to play for. It’s not going to be straightforward though. Ipswich have only won one of their last five games so Portman Road will be a very nervy place indeed. The same can’t be said of Millwall. Alex Neil’s side have certainly overperformed and playing at home against an already-relegated Oxford side, the pressure will be off and they’ll likely rack up another victory but with Ipswich getting past QPR, it won’t be enough to overhaul the Tractor Boys’ far superior goal difference. That just leaves Middlesbrough, who need a lot to go in their favour - Ipswich to lose and Millwall to not win - while they also have a tough task on their hands in a trip to playoff-chasing Wrexham on the last day. They’re the ones most likely to stumble and could potentially meet the Welsh side in the playoffs themselves. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. 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