New final Championship table forecast as stats reveal Bristol City, Sheffield United and Leeds United fate
Bristol City earned their third victory in four matches to boost their play-off hopes
Bristol City earned a hard-fought 1-0 win against Derby County in their first home game of the calendar year.
Centre back Luke McNally’s first half goal was enough to help the Robins rise to eighth in the table and just three points behind the play-off places in what has so far been a steady but unspectacular year for Liam Manning’s side.
Bristol City along with Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers are the longest serving team in the Championship and they have their sights set on a first play-off place finish since 2007/08 when they were narrowly beaten by Hull City at Wembley Stadium.
But what are Bristol City’s promotion chances looking like this season? Here we take a look at the Championship predicted table, according to data from Opta Sport.
Who will win automatic promotion this season?
Championship favourites Leeds United are expected to win the league with around 90 points, according to Opta, who have sensationally given the Whites a 71% chance of winning promotion this term.
Sheffield United, who currently sit third in the Championship table are expected to leapfrog Burnley in the automatic promotion race and have been given a 58.1% chance of reaching the Premier League.
Opta expects the promotion race to go right down to the wire and believes goal difference will be the only factor separating the Blades and the Clarets.
Who will make the Championship play-off places?
Burnley, Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough are all expected to battle it out for a place in the promised land of the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.
Third placed Burnley, who have been given a 57.64% chance of promotion are expected to face sixth place Middlesbrough in the first play-off game, with Sunderland taking on West Brom in the other encounter.
Where are Bristol City likely to finish?
Bristol City have been a steady mid-table team for most of the last decade and Opta Sport is expecting more of the same with the Robins finishing in ninth spot with an expected 64 points, leaving them eight behind the play-off places
Blackburn, Watford, Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday are also expected to miss out on a play-off place but are likely to be competing for the top six until the very end.
Who is likely to be relegated?
Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City and Hull City all parted company with their managers in 2024 and in the eyes of Opta Sport are expected to start next season in League One.
League One champions Portsmouth are expected to perform a great escape after failing to win any of their opening 14 games and Oxford United are expected to also survive despite the departure of Des Buckingham.
Stoke City, Luton Town and Derby County are all expected to struggle in the final six months of the season.
OPTA Sport predicted Championship table
- Leeds United
- Sheffield United
- Burnley
- Sunderland
- West Brom
- Middlesbrough
- Blackburn Rovers
- Watford
- Bristol City
- Norwich City
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Swansea City
- Millwall
- Coventry City
- Preston North End
- Queens Park Rangers
- Derby County
- Luton Town
- Stoke City
- Oxford United
- Portsmouth
- Hull City
- Cardiff City
- Plymouth Argyle