Middlesbrough could do the unthinkable and prop up Leeds United in the Championship play-offs

Middlesbrough may not be in the Championship play-offs this year, but there is still plenty for them.

Kicking off this weekend, Leeds United face Norwich City in the first semi-final on Sunday, before Southampton take on West Brom later in the afternoon. For Boro, the bottom line in the play-off competition will be a promotion rival they don’t have to worry about next season and three will do.

And given Boro’s ambitions next season, while they will ultimately focus on what they can control and strengthening their own squad, the play-off battle will no doubt be an indirect factor in their chances to Boro in the next period.

READ MORE: Michael Carrick sets Middlesbrough promotion target amid key loan decisions

Looking at the four-field squad and considering who, for Boro’s sake, could be the better choice for promotion next season could lead to an unthinkable prospect for Boro supporters, and one many may not care about to admit – the Leeds United support is likely to. be in their future interest.

Looking closely at all four clubs to find out what losing promotion would mean, Leeds appear to be the team most strongly placed to attack next season should they fail to win this month’s play-offs. Owned by the 49ers, they will follow their NFL position and have already confirmed that Daniel Farke’s job is safe regardless.

With this extension, plus a second year of parachute payments, Leeds will want to make a real push for promotion next season if they fail to go up this time. While they could lose a few key players – notably Championship player of the year Crysencio Summerville – the fees they would receive in such deals would give the Whites considerable spending power.

Southampton should not be considered too far behind. They also still receive parachute payments next season, could lose a few key players in the summer but should be well placed to reinvest in the squad and build on Russell Martin’s first season at the club, which has need time to start.

You could even argue that they could be stronger than Leeds next term, as it remains to be seen whether any Premier League club will bank on 21-goal Adam Armstrong, having managed just five goals in the his two seasons in the top flight. Che Adams has also hit 18 this season but is yet to hit double figures in a top-flight campaign after four attempts so far.

It could be a close race for the validity of both sides’ promotion credentials next season, with Boro having taken four points from Saints this term and none from Leeds, it should probably be favorable for the Whites to win the promotion.

As for Norwich City and West Brom, both could find themselves in tougher positions this summer. In many ways, with plenty of potential for change should they fail to go up, while both will be seen as favorites to challenge again next term, they would face similar situations to Boro last summer.

At Norwich, failure to win promotion is expected to leave head coach David Wagner in a precarious position. His departure would bring plenty of uncertainty, but the Canaries will also have to prepare for offers for star players such as Josh Sargent, Gabi Sara and Jon Rowe. As things stand, they have five players out of contract – including Ben Gibson – as well.

There could be a big squad overhaul at the Hawthorns too. the likes of Kyle Bartley, Cedric Kipre, Matt Phillips, Adam Reach, Martin Kelly, Nathaniel Chalobah, Erik Pieters and Alex Mowatt are all out of contract, while loanees Pipa, Callum Marshall, Mikey Johnston and Andreas Weimann will also leave the club .

The club was taken over in February but must meet the Championship’s profit and sustainability rules, leaving their spending power limited without additional sales for big players.