Championship round-up: Ipswich close gap as Boro's form dips in festive period

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna
Ipswich manager Kieran McKennaMI News / NurPhoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

The busy festive period is in full swing in the Championship, with games coming thick and fast as the new year approaches.

All 24 clubs were in action on Boxing Day and on Monday evening, with Middlesbrough's promotion chase taking a hit while Ipswich closed the gap to the top two.

Elsewhere, Wrexham picked up two big wins, and Watford cemented their spot in the race for a play-off finish.

It's time for Flashscore to take a look at all the big talking points from the latest two sets of Championship fixtures.

Championship table
Championship tableFlashscore

Middlesbrough's form takes a hit

Middlesbrough's push for automatic promotion took a hit over the last week following a 0-0 draw against strugglers Blackburn and a 1-0 defeat at home to Hull.

The Teesiders have so far ridden the wave of a turbulent campaign rather well and have defied expectations by staying in the top two, but are now in danger of dropping out after a dip in form.

New manager Kim Hellberg took over midway through the first half of the season and continued the momentum gathered by departing coach Rob Edwards - but things have taken a bit of a stumble with the latest results.

Boro are now winless and goalless in their last three matches, with the gap to third-placed Ipswich now just two points.

Middlesbrough's latest results
Middlesbrough's latest resultsFlashscore

That will cause some concern, given that the plethora of talent in the Tractor Boys' squad is now starting to find some consistency.

Hellberg's side will be keen to bounce back as soon as possible and will have the chance to do so on New Year's Day against Derby, while they will also undoubtedly be keen to use the winter transfer window to give the squad a welcome refresh.

Ipswich and Hull close the gap

Ipswich and Hull were both alluded to earlier, with the two clubs picking up some big results over the festive period.

The Tigers defeated Middlesbrough thanks to Darko Gyabi's strike and drew 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day, twice coming from behind to rescue a point at Hillsborough.

Mohamed Belloumi and Matt Crooks found the net to ensure Hull maintained their unbeaten run, which is now up to five games (four wins, one draw).

Given that the Tigers were tipped to struggle at the other end of the table before the season began, their form over the first five months has been imposing.

They now sit fourth on goal difference and just two points outside the automatic promotion spots, level with the aforementioned Ipswich.

The Tractor Boys have turned their campaign around after a slow start and now look to be building a head of steam at a crucial point in the season.

That momentum helped them record a 2-0 win away to league leaders Coventry on Monday evening, with Jack Clarke and Wes Burns on hand to seal another victory.

Kieran McKenna's team has lost just twice in the last 14 games, with Clarke particularly impressing despite largely featuring off the bench.

The fact that such a talented winger for the Championship is often forced to settle for a spot on the bench speaks volumes about the strength of Ipswich's squad - something that will likely pull them over the line in the race for automatic promotion.

Wrexham and Watford pick up wins

Wrexham are now just four points outside the play-off spots after a couple of impressive wins over the last few days, first coming from behind to beat Sheffield United 5-3 before recording a 2-1 victory over Preston.

The win over United will feel especially nice after starring performances from former Blades striker Kieffer Moore and ex-Sheffield Wednesday star Josh Windass.

Moore netted twice against his former club while Windass rounded off the scoring late in the second half to secure a first win in five games.

Wrexham's form continued against play-off chasers Preston after goals from Nathan Broadhead and Oliver Rathbone - putting them in a strong position to mount a top-six charge in the second half of the campaign.

Wrexham's recent form
Wrexham's recent formFlashscore

Another side to push towards the play-off spots is Watford, who are now on a run of six games without defeat after wins away to Leicester and Norwich.

Superb midfield talent Imran Louza was important in both victories and has been one of the best individual performers in the entire division so far this season, picking up two assists against the Foxes.

Louza is one of a few promising players in the Hornets' squad and will be key to their chances of a top-six finish - something that looks possible if they keep up their current form.

Goodrham blasts home for Oxford

Oxford have struggled throughout the current campaign and recently parted ways with manager Gary Rowett - although they picked up an important Boxing Day win over Southampton.

Tyler Goodrham was one of the goalscorers, firing home a lovely effort from the edge of the area to open the scoring.

His strike stood out across the last two sets of fixtures and therefore wins our Goal of the Week.

Thomason excels for Wrexham

Wrexham midfielder George Thomason enjoyed a standout performance in the club's 5-3 win over Sheffield United.

The Englishman grabbed two assists during the victory to earn a 9.0 Flashscore player rating - the highest of anyone across the last two rounds of fixtures in the Championship.

Take a look at a combined Team of the Week for the last two rounds:

Team of the Week
Team of the WeekFlashscore

Follow the Championship with Flashscore

Ali Pollock
Ali PollockFlashscore