How has Sunderland's victory over Shrewsbury affected their playoff hopes? (Picture by FRANK REID)How has Sunderland's victory over Shrewsbury affected their playoff hopes? (Picture by FRANK REID)
How has Sunderland's victory over Shrewsbury affected their playoff hopes? (Picture by FRANK REID)

'Data experts' predict fascinating battle for promotion after huge Good Friday results involving Sunderland, Portsmouth, Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle

Alex Neil’s side defeated Shrewsbury Town on Good Friday thanks to another late winner – but how has that win affected their playoff hopes?

This time it was Nathan Broadhead who secured the Black Cats late victory over Shrewsbury, keeping Sunderland in the playoff places.

As always, the Good Friday round of fixtures had dramatic effects at the top and bottom of the League One table with victories for Oxford United, Morecambe and Wycombe Wanderers just a few results that will be felt at both ends of the division.

Neil’s side have just four games left between now and the end of the campaign – will they do enough to secure a playoff place? Or is a fifth-straight season in League One being predicted for the Black Cats?

Here is how the ‘data experts’ at FiveThirtyEight predict the 2021/22 League One table will finish and whether or not Sunderland will be in the playoff picture at the end of the campaign: