Supercomputer makes new Southampton promotion prediction after comeback vs Leicester
Southampton are now being backed to seal the final playoff spot in the Championship by stats gurus Opta after their shock comeback against Leicester City.
Southampton have struggled to push for an instant return for the Premier League this season following their relegation to the Championship.
Will Still was sacked by the Saints in November after a poor first few months in charge, as academy coach Tonda Eckert took charge on an interim basis and was soon handed the reins permanently.
Eckert has been able to guide Southampton further up the second tier standings and into contention for the playoffs as the business end of the season looms.
His side staged a shock comeback from 3-0 down to beat Leicester 4-3 in added time on Tuesday evening, and their late win has now propelled them into pole position to finish sixth this season.
Opta are predicting Southampton to finish sixth ahead of Wrexham and Preston
Wrexham are sitting sixth in the Championship as it stands, with one playoff spot seemingly all there is to play for, as Millwall hold a six-point advantage in fifth place.
Preston North End and Bristol City are each in seventh and eighth respectively, while Southampton are now up to ninth after their win at the King Power Stadium.
The Saints have played one game more than the rest of the playoff contenders, other than Birmingham City, but Opta are now backing them to make the playoffs, with a 26.68 per cent chance of doing so.
Preston have a 21.5 per cent chance, while Wrexham are given a 20 per cent chance, and Bristol City are 15.76 per cent likely to make the playoffs.
Which teams are set for automatic promotion and who else is predicted to make the playoffs?
Hull City and Millwall are each sitting comfortably in fourth and fifth respectively right now, with Opta giving the former a 73.64 per cent chance of making the top six, and the latter a 72.9 per cent chance, as a result.
The Tigers are just five points from second-placed Coventry City as it stands, who were knocked off of top spot by Middlesbrough on Monday after they beat Sheffield United 2-1.
Boro are now expected to win the second-tier title, with a 49.72 per cent chance to Coventry’s 31.7, but Frank Lampard’s side are still on course to win promotion, with 83.72 expected points to Ipswich’s 80.75.
If Opta’s predictions are accurate come May, then Ipswich will face Southampton and Hull will take on Millwall in the playoff semi-finals for a chance to win promotion at Wembley.