Wolverhampton Wanderers are forecast to finish third in the Championship this season, according to a supercomputer projection. The Opta Analyst model predicts Cesar Peixoto's side will amass 75 points, putting them just a single point behind second-placed Middlesbrough.
The promotion picture
The model, which uses thousands of simulations, sees West Ham United winning the title with 80 points. Wolves are tipped to finish ahead of Southampton in fourth and Millwall in fifth. The predictions suggest Wolves and their Black Country rivals West Brom could finish just five points apart, with Albion projected to take seventh place on 70 points. Under the new expanded play-off format, seventh is enough to secure a post-season chance.
West Brom head coach James Morrison has reason to be positive and negative with the state of his West Brom side. His team currently sits fifth after a mixed start of four wins, two draws, and two losses. The supercomputer gives them a 36.76% chance of reaching the play-offs but only a 2.44% likelihood of winning the league.
Wolves' recent context
The forecast comes as Wolves handle a tricky period, having lost their last two matches. Their most recent result was a 1-0 home victory over West Brom on September 20, with Fer López scoring the winner. López is the club's top scorer this season with four goals in seven appearances, a key figure in the team's squad. The team's form over the last five games reads one win, one draw, and three defeats. According to the club's data, the team has scored an average of 1.4 goals per game but conceded 1.6, resulting in a negative goal difference over the season so far. The immediate focus is on the next fixture, an away trip to face Middlesbrough on October 10, as seen in the full fixtures list.
The play-off landscape
If the prediction holds, Wolves would go straight into the two-legged play-off semi-finals as the third-placed finisher. West Brom, in seventh, would face a one-off eliminator away at Norwich City, with the winner progressing. The model forecasts Burnley to finish a distant 14th with 60 points. The supercomputer's full season simulation gives Wolves a 48.9% probability of achieving automatic promotion and a 24.1% chance of winning the play-offs, according to the Opta Analyst report. This projection will be tested against the real-time standings as the season unfolds.
Background and full detail: sports.yahoo.com
