Why This Year May Finally Belong to The Lions

Automatic Promotion; A Dream or Reality?

Millwall has made its presence felt in the Championship this season, and it looks likely that this will be the year they finally claim a play-off spot. The real question now is, are we wrong to rule the Lions out of automatic promotion? Just five points adrift of league leaders Middlesbrough (subject to tonight's result), Alex Neil's side poses a genuine threat to those at the top.

The Form Never Lies

Millwall secured back-to-back away victories for the first time this season over the weekend, having come from behind to defeat league stragglers Sheffield Wednesday. This is the type of fixture they have notably stumbled on in the past, where expectations have heavily weighed on the South London side to come out on top. The 5-1 loss away at Plymouth last season is a prime example of this. The home side was struggling at the bottom of the division, welcoming a Millwall side towards the top and coming off the back of four consecutive victories. Safe to say, the growth in character of this Millwall side is evident, including captain Jake Cooper, who has relished his responsibilities as leader of the pack.

Just one defeat in their last ten league games, winning six. ✅

Back-to-back away wins for the first time since August. ✅

Four Championship matches unbeaten, winning three. ✅

Up to third in the table. ✅

𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚! ✈️#Millwall pic.twitter.com/j1qAAq6XCd

— The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) February 15, 2026

Millwall has proven to be a tough nut to crack, having lost just one of their last ten Championship matches. This defeat came against Coventry at The Coventry Building Society Arena, with former Lion Romain Esse scoring the opening goal in the fixture. Recent victories included the London Derby rout against Charlton Athletic, with Millwall notably looking a class above their local neighbors. A significant factor surrounding the Lions' success is their form away from home, an area where they have come unstuck for years on end. They hold the fourth-best away form in the division, having claimed 26 points from 16 matches on the road. In the previous four Championship campaigns, Millwall achieved no more than 27 points from away matches. It seems likely this tally will be topped this time around, a pivotal factor that separates those outside and those inside the play-off places.

Quality Additions

A Millwall side that was already more than capable of competing in this division at the start of the season has been elevated with smart transfer business. The summer additions of Alfie Doughty and Caleb Taylor have both made noticeable impacts, with the latter thriving in the central defensive role alongside Cooper. Taylor has three goals to his name since joining the club on a permanent deal, including a sublime strike in a 3-2 victory over Southampton. Having failed to solidify a starting spot at West Bromwich Albion, the reported £2.5 million price tag is proving to be a real bargain for Millwall.

🏆 Caleb Taylor has been nominated for the @SkyBetChamp Player of the Month award for January!

Well deserved, Caleb 👏 pic.twitter.com/lhvjkL54X8

— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) February 12, 2026

As for Doughty, the boyhood Millwall fan, he has proven his quality at this level , and there was good reason for Lions fans to be excited about his arrival. The recognized full-back has five assists in 15 league starts this season, having set up Macaulay Langstaff for his winning goal on debut against Norwich City at Carrow Road. While his delivery cannot be questioned, Doughty has also shown that he is capable in the central midfield role, having featured there to cover the Lions' injury crisis in midfield.

It is the first time in recent memory that a Millwall F.C. side has been spoiled for choice when it comes to team selection. The January additions of Barry Bannan, Tommy Watson, and Anthony Patterson have all provided genuine competition within a squad that has spent much of the campaign towards the top of the EFL Championship table. Both Watson and Patterson provide valuable experience of what it takes to get out of this division, with the latter having scored the winning goal in the play-off final to send Sunderland to the Premier League. Millwall has also welcomed the likes of Derek Mazou-Sacko and Casper De Norre back from injury in recent weeks, with the latter having established himself as an integral figure in the Lions' midfield.

On paper, this Millwall side is rightly deserving of its lofty position in the Championship standings, and there is no reason why aspirations should not be firmly centered around automatic promotion.

The Run-In

Looking ahead, Millwall has favorable home fixtures against Portsmouth and Birmingham coming up. Having won three of the last five occasions at The Den, they will fancy themselves to get the better of any side on home soil. Millwall currently has an eight-point cushion from Preston in 7th, a reasonable gap with just 14 matches left to play. Previous Championship seasons prove that 70-73 points is the benchmark for a play-off spot. That means Millwall would need to pick up six wins from their remaining matches to secure their place, or 18 points from a possible 42.

Millwall have scored 20pts in 9 games since Championship round 24, the HIGHEST TOTAL in the league.

Before this run the Lions were one place outside the play-offs, today they're one place outside the top two...#MillwallFC #COYL #EFLChampionship pic.twitter.com/I0tybBgcMw

— Benjamin Bloom (@Benjaminbloom) February 15, 2026

While it may not seem like the toughest of tasks on paper, fans of Millwall F.C. know it is never that straightforward. The Lions still have daunting trips ahead to face promotion rivals such as Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town, and Hull City, all battling towards the summit of the EFL Championship table. Snatching valuable points from these encounters could make all the difference, and Millwall may just pull off the unthinkable: automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Whether it ultimately unfolds that way remains to be seen, but what is certain is that very few sides will relish the prospect of standing in Millwall's way as they continue their pursuit of promotion.