A supercomputer has predicted the final Championship table, as Leicester, Leeds, Ipswich and Southampton fight for automatic promotion.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Opta Supercomputer Update 📈
After a packed weekend of Championship action we give an update on the Opta supercomputer’s projections for automatic promotion, the playoff spots and relegation to League One.
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) March 4, 2024
Leicester Automatic Promotion Hopes
The Foxes have enjoyed a strong campaign after being relegated from the Premier League last season and have sat in first place for the majority of this season.
Enzo Maresca has implemented a new style of play at the King Power Stadium, resembling that of his former boss – Pep Guardiola.
However, results have started to go against Leicester in recent weeks, losing three consecutive matches in the Championship against Middlesbrough, Leeds and QPR.
This has seen their lead at the top drop to three points, as the 2015/16 Premier League champions sit on 78 points and second placed Ipswich have accumulated 75 (in 35 matches).
Leeds Automatic Promotion Hopes
Similarly, Leeds United have enjoyed a strong return to England’s second division and are in a strong place to finish in the automatic promotion places.
Daniel Farke’s side have taken six points off the top two teams, beating Leicester and Ipswich twice – highlighting their quality in the Championship.
The Whites suffered a disappointing result in their most recent league fixture, drawing 1-1 with Huddersfield and dropping down to third in the table.
Crysencio Summerville has been one of the best players in the Championship this season and his 23 goal contributions (15G+8A) have proved pivotal so far.
Ipswich Automatic Promotion Hopes
The Tractor Boys have been one of the stories of this season, as they are in a title challenge after earning promotion to the Championship last season.
Back-to-back promotion would see Ipswich return to the Premier League for the first time since 2001-2002 and are the only side in the race who were not relegated last season.
Kieran McKenna has transformed the club since taking over in December 2021 and with only 11 matches left, the East Anglian side are close to making history.
Ipswich still have some difficult fixtures remaining, as they welcome Southampton to Portman Road and have an away visit to fierece rivals, Norwich.
Southampton Automatic Promotion Hopes
Rusell Martin’s side were heavily criticised for their displays earlier in the season, winning just three of their opening eight league matches.
However, despite the comments on their style of play, Southampton stuck to their guns and went on the longest unbeaten streak in the clubs’ history – going 22 games unbeaten.
Recent results have not been so positive however, as the Saints have lost three of their last five league matches and are now five points off second place.
Southampton still have to face the three teams above them in the league and travel to Leeds on the final day of this season – in what could be a promotion decider.
Supercomputer Championship Automatic Promotion Predictions
Below is the supercomputer’s predictions for automatic promotion, assigning each team a percentage probability of finishing in the top two.
Leicester:
26th Feb: 95.4%
4th March: 87.4%
Leeds:
26th Feb: 71.6%
4th March: 56.6%
Ipswich:
26th Feb: 28.5%
4th March: 47.7%
Southampton:
26th Feb: 4.5%
4th March: 8.3%
All stats from Opta
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