(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Sat 4 April 2026 13:40, UK

West Ham United could soon be living in a reality where they are in the Championship next season, while Millwall play in the Premier League.

The Hammers are set to take on Leeds United in the FA Cup Quarter-finals before they return to league action, with fears of relegation still present.

Things have been improving at the London Stadium since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival, but the Irons may worry that momentum has picked up too late, with some relegation rivals doing well around them.

Millwall are one of West Ham’s fiercest London rivals, and the Hammers have missed being able to play the Lions in a high-stakes game.

However, West Ham’s threat of relegation looks even scarier after Millwall’s win over Middlesbrough on Good Friday.

West Ham to look away as Millwall into automatic promotion spot

West Ham have belief they can stay up, but the reality is that they are still 18th and one point from safety with seven games to go.

Millwall’s 2-1 away win against promotion rivals Middlesbrough has shaken up the Championship this weekend, as the Lions now find themselves second, and on course for the Premier League.

Alex Neil’s side are just five spots away from the Hammers in the English football pyramid, and there is a chance that their London rivals could leapfrog them at the end of this campaign.

Ipswich Town still seem one of the favourites for promotion, and many Hammers fans would probably like to see the Tractor Boys go up in second place, considering what Millwall could do in May.

West Ham would most likely welcome Millwall back to the Premier League, but only if their own top-flight status is protected.

Tottenham may have just had another boost ahead of West Ham

Tottenham are one of West Ham’s relegation rivals for the run-in, with the Lilywhites just recently departed with interim boss Igor Tudor.

Spurs have no appointed former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi on a five-year deal, with the club and fans now confident that things can turn around.

As seen with Tottenham already this season, off-field changes haven’t helped them outperform the Hammers all that much, but the feeling at the club now is that Tottenham may just get over the line with their latest managerial change.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke has admitted that he doesn’t have any focus on De Zerbi’s appointment, and Nuno will likely have the same stance.

That’s because it’s in the hands of West Ham to do the business, as Millwall swapping places with the Irons may be a new low point in the club’s history.