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Supercomputer predicts Leicester City’s chances of League One promotion

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

12 Aug 2026, 5:45 pm

Opta has once again attempted to predict who will be promoted from League One during the 2026-27 campaign.

Leicester City are perhaps many people’s favourites to finish inside the top two this campaign after their surprise relegation from the Championship last season.

Over the course of the summer, the Foxes have embarked on a new era, with Russell Martin taking the reins in the dugout.

So far, eight new faces have come through the door at the King Power Stadium, as they look to make their time in League One as short as possible.

Leicester began their 2026-27 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Northampton Town last weekend in the Carabao Cup, and are now preparing to travel to Notts County on Saturday for their first game in League One.

However, despite the strength of their squad going into their League One campaign, the supercomputer does not believe that they will win promotion this season.

Leicester City not backed to win promotion from League One this season

When predicting the upcoming League One season, Opta believes that Leicester are only the fourth favourites to get promoted.

The Foxes have been given a 15.5 per cent chance of finishing inside the top two and an 8.1 per cent chance of winning the title.

Instead, Plymouth Argyle are the favourites to go up, with a 24.9 per cent chance of this happening.

The Pilgrims also have a 14 per cent chance of coming away with the League One title.

Luton Town are the second favourites, with Opta’s prediction seeing them win promotion 24.9 per cent of the time, and winning the title in 14 per cent of simulations.

Stockport County are also favoured over Leicester, who have a 9.9 per cent chance of going up and an 18.8 per cent chance of claiming the League One title.

After the Foxes, Oxford United are believed to be in the race for promotion with a 12.4 per cent chance of achieving this.

Wycombe Wanderers and Huddersfield Town are considered outsiders for a top two finish, happening in just 12.3 per cent and 12 per cent of simulations.

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Opta does not believe AFC Wimbledon have much chance of staying in the division, with the odds of relegation sitting at 47.8 per cent.

Peterborough and Bromley are also predicted to drop into the fourth tier at 31.4 per cent and 31.3 per cent odds.

Barnsley are narrowly tipped to join the trio in the relegation zone with a 28.9 per cent chance of going down.

As a result, Notts County are backed to stay up with just a 28.5 per cent chance of relegation, with Cambridge United also beating the drop with a 26.8 per cent chance of finishing the season in the bottom four.

Cambridge United Football Club