How many points Middlesbrough may need to win the EFL Championship title - predicted by Opta | OneFootball

Middlesbrough may need to win just eight more games to win the Championship title according to Opta.

Middlesbrough moved to the top of the Championship with an impressive 2-1 win at Sheffield United on Monday night.

That continued Boro’s brilliant run under Kim Hellberg, and it appears they have hit their stride at the right time, as the victory at Bramall Lane made it six wins on the bounce.

It means Boro go into the huge game against Coventry on Monday leading the way in the league, and they will see that fixture as a great opportunity to send another statement in the promotion battle.

Opta outlines Middlesbrough’s target to win Championship title

Of course, the main objective for Middlesbrough will be to finish in the top two, which guarantees a return to the Premier League.

However, you can be sure that Hellberg and the players will believe they are the best in the league, so they will be targeting the Championship title.

As per Opta predictions, the Teesside outfit are firm favourites to finish first, as they have a 49.72% chance of doing just that. Meanwhile, Coventry are rated as having a 31.7% chance of coming top, with Ipswich down at 14.02%.

In terms of the points needed, Opta’s stats suggest that Coventry are on track to come second with 83.72 expected points. So, if we round that up, Boro would need 84 points to match the Sky Blues, although it’s likely that Frank Lampard’s side will have a better goal difference.

Therefore, Opta’s stats indicate 85 points would be enough for Middlesbrough to win the Championship - and that’s a total that Hellberg will feel is very achievable.

That would mean Boro need 24 points from 15 games to hit that mark, which is below the average points per game they have managed so far.

As it stands, Opta believe Boro will surpass 86 points, which would see them end the season at the summit.

Middlesbrough and Kim Hellberg won’t be getting carried away in the promotion race

Some will debate whether 85 points would be enough, and, in truth, it does seem quite low, but that’s what the stats suggest, and you would be surprised if Hellberg’s side don’t get 85 points.

Either way, it seems apparent that whoever does win the league will do so with considerably fewer points than Leeds United last season, when Daniel Farke’s side won the league with 100. Incredibly, Burnley also picked up 100 points, but they finished second on goal difference.

Ultimately, though, the only thing that matters for Middlesbrough is winning promotion, and whilst they are in a fantastic position, you can be sure that Hellberg is going to take it a game at a time.

Clearly, the players love his methods, and there will be confidence that they can get results consistently over the next few months.

But, the only focus right now is Coventry, and if Middlesbrough do make it seven wins on the spin, it will be a big step towards the Premier League.