Intriguing West Brom, Coventry and Middlesbrough final points in fresh Championship table forecast

West Bromwich Albion’s recent dip in form went from bad to worse in the Championship as they suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 away defeat to rivals Bristol City.

It extended the Baggies winless run to four matches and left Bristol City firmly in the driving seat to cement their place in the play-offs.

West Brom fell behind to a goal by Bermudian veteran Nakhi Wells after just 56 minutes, with a rocket of a shot from the edge of the area. West Brom bounced back just minutes later when midfielder Alex Mowatt reacted first to a mistake from Max O’Leary to fire an easy shot into the middle of the net.

It was a game of fine margins but the balance began to shift towards the home side when Jayson Molumbu was sent off for a late challenge on Joe Williams. City probed for a winner in the closing stages and got their wish in the dying moments of the contest when substitute Haydon Roberts fired a dagger to the hearts of travelling West Brom supporters by netting the winner in the 96th minute. City moved six points clear of their opponents and now sit in fifth position but there was some light at the end of the tunnel for the Baggies as Middlesbrough fell to a 1-0 defeat against league-leaders Leeds United.

Baggies fans will keep a close eye on proceedings between Coventry and Portsmouth before dusting themselves off and preparing for two more important contests against Watford and Coventry over the next 10 days. As we approach the final run-in, we take a look at OPTA’s predicted table and the number of points West Brom are likely to need to secure a play-off place.

The promotion battle

Leeds United enjoyed a dream set of results to climb back to the summit after a run of three consecutive draws. Not only did the Whites claim a vital 1-0 win at the Riverside against Middlesbrough, they also benefited from the likes of Burnley and Sheffield United both dropping points.

The Clarets drew 0-0 with relegation-threatened Derby while the Blades suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Millwall, who also have one eye on the play-offs.

OPTA believes these results will be potent in the race for promotion and expects no further twists with Leeds winning the title on 95 points and Burnley finishing second on goal difference.

Can West Brom achieve a top six finish

Opta has placed West Brom in eighth position with 65 points in their final table forecast and claims the Baggies now only have a 19.76% chance of finishing in the top six after their recent dip in form.The data experts believe Sheffield United, Sunderland and Bristol City will occupy the play-off places with Coventry leapfrogging Middlesbrough to secure the final top six place.

West Brom, however, know how quickly things can change in this league and could still throw a spanner in the works by beating Watford and Coventry in their next two Championship games.

“I can't keep repeating the same things. We have to find a way. I've just vented a bit of frustration, I feel as if it can't happen, they can't score in the 96th minute, even though we're a man down we've still got nine outfield players in that box,” said a frustrated Tony Mowbray after the loss against Bristol City.

"Somebody has to block it, somebody has to get their body there. It's a frustration because I think if anybody was going to win it before the sending off it was us.We were in the ascendancy, their crowd had gone quiet, we were dominating the ball, we had an amazing chance to score and win it with a couple of them in the last 15 minutes and to lose it.

"Is cruel the right word? It seems ridiculous to me but we have and we have to accept it and move on."

How many points West Brom need for a top six finish amid Bristol City and Coventry battle - according to Opta