Where Simon Jordan now thinks Millwall will finish as cheeky claim dropped | OneFootball

Simon Jordan has weighed in on whether Millwall will clinch automatic promotion from the Championship to the Premier League

Simon Jordan has weighed in on the Championship promotion race between Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough, and Millwall.

Kieran McKenna's men climbed into the automatic promotion places by defeating Birmingham City on Easter Monday, whereas Boro drew 2-2 at Swansea City, and the Lions were beaten at home by Norwich City.

The three sides who are vying to clinch automatic promotion alongside likely Championship title winners Coventry City are level on points, but Ipswich have two games in hand.

McKenna's side didn't play on Good Friday, thanks to Southampton's participation in the FA Cup quarter-finals, while Millwall defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium.

Simon Jordan predicts where Millwall will finish in the Championship title

The Lions have an opportunity to bounce back from their defeat against Norwich when they travel to West Bromwich Albion on Friday, while Boro can end their poor run of form by beating relegation-threatened Portsmouth on Saturday.

Ipswich, meanwhile, travel to Carrow Road for the latest installment of the East Anglian Derby, and will be eager to extend their unbeaten run to nine games.

Discussing the Championship promotion race, former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan sarcastically said: "I was so disappointed to see Millwall lose over the weekend and drop out of the top two."

The 58-year-old then added: "They’ll be in the play-offs."

Millwall hold a healthy gap over the likes of Wrexham, Southampton, and Derby County, so, as alluded to by Jordan, they will finish elsewhere in the top six if they don't land a top-two spot.

Ipswich Town emerge as promotion favourites following Middlesbrough and Millwall slip-ups

Ipswich began the season with strong aspirations of landing an immediate Premier League return, and that eventuality is nearing fruition.

However, it has not always been straightforward for the Tractor Boys, as Coventry and Middlesbrough previously appeared as though they would finish as the Championship's top two.

Boro overtook Coventry in the second-tier title race when they defeated Sheffield United 2-1 on 9 February.

However, when the Sky Blues defeated Kim Hellberg's men 3-1 a week later, Frank Lampard's side reclaimed top spot, and the North East outfit have subsequently earned just two victories, meaning they could finish outside the top two altogether.

Meanwhile, thanks to their games in hand, Ipswich are significantly more likely to extend their advantage over Boro and Millwall than falling behind either the Riverside Stadium club or the Lions.

Furthermore, even one of the Tractor Boys' toughest remaining games of the campaign, against Southampton, has been made favourable due to the Saints' FA Cup progress.

McKenna's men are set to clash with Tonda Eckert's side within the same week as Southampton's FA Cup semi-final tie with Manchester City, so the Saints players will likely be fatigued.

Meanwhile, another determining factor in the Championship promotion race comes when Ipswich host Middlesbrough on 19 April.

Having defeated likely champions Coventry twice this season, the Tractor Boys will back themselves to defeat Boro, especially given their contrasting form in recent weeks.

The race for a place in next season's Premier League will present more twists and turns along the way, but it is currently difficult to see past Ipswich finishing second behind the Sky Blues.