Supercomputer delivers Championship promotion verdict Sheffield United fans will love

FiveThirtyEight have released their latest forecasts for how they expect the Championship will finish.

The website uses statistical analysis to tell stories about several different topics, including sport, and in more specifically in this case, English football’s second tier.

Based on the data that has been presented so far, Sheffield United are expected to comfortably secure a play-off place and finish third in this season’s Championship.

The Blades are forecasted to finish on 76 points, with a goal difference of +15. The automatic promotion places, however, appear to be a bridge too far – as second place Bournemouth are predicted to finish nine clear of the chasing pack.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side look set to finish in the top six alongside former United boss Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers.

Following recent form, the data has forecasted that the Blades now have a 56 per cent chance of making the play-offs and just a two per cent chance of finishing in the bottom half, which is very much indicative of the turn around Heckingbottom has overseen since his appointment in November.

They have also been given a 30% chance of earning promotion, the third highest chance of any side in the division meaning the Blades are now being tipped to be promoted alongside Fulham and Bournemouth.

Elsewhere in the division, a number of teams in the hunt are predicted for disappointment, with West Brom, Nottingham Forest, Luton Town, Stoke City, Coventry City and Huddersfield Town to miss out.

At the bottom, South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley have left themselves too much to do to get out of trouble, finishing four points adrift of Reading in 21st.

Despite their remarkable resurgence under Wayne