Boro have been in the mix for a top-two finish throughout the campaign, but their current six-match winless run has seen them drop to fifth in the table.
Should that streak be extended to seven at Portman Road this weekend, Hellberg admits that their focus might have to switch to the play-offs.
“We probably have to win the game to be in a good spot,” he said.
“You never know what can happen, but it’s easy to do the maths. We probably need to win to put ourselves in a good position to be second.
“If we do that, we’re in a good position again, that’s how it works, but I think everyone can do the maths. If we’re going to finish second, we probably need to win this game.”
Middlesbrough head into the clash with some major injury doubts. Among them are star midfielder Hayden Hackney and top scorer Morgan Whittaker, who have been instrumental to their success.
Hayden Hackney remains an injury doubt heading into the clash in Suffolk (Image: PA)
Asked whether they’ll be fit to feature in Suffolk, Hellberg replied: “We’ll see. Hopefully. Everyone is better.
To be fair, there’s no hiding it, we’ve missed them.
“Hayden and Morgan have been our two best offensive players in terms of points won. Leo [Castledine] has contributed well since arriving and Sammy [Silvera] has some goals too.
“It’s been some of the players that’s been out that have quite a good goalscoring record.
“Of course, missing them is a big thing, but all the players are getting closer to playing and getting into a better situation with those injuries. All of the players injured are in a similar category.
“It comes down to me deciding if that’s for Ipswich or Sheffield Wednesday or Watford or Wrexham, but I hope that all those players that have been injured will play a part in some of those games.
“It’s just a matter of time. How quickly it is difficult for me to know. It comes down to decisions in one or two days.
“We’ll see.”