'Data experts' predict huge shift in playoff race following Sunderland's victory over Wigan Athletic with fates of Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town also forecast
Sunderland’s victory over Wigan Athletic was a welcome result for Alex Neil and the result has transformed the playoff picture.
By Joe Buck
Published 3rd Mar 2022, 15:00 BST
Updated 3rd Mar 2022, 15:04 BST
The 3-0 triumph at the DW Stadium could be worth a lot more than just the three points for Sunderland.
They may be still some way from automatic promotion, but Saturday’s results shows they can compete with the best in the division and will hope this sets them in good stead as they approach the business end of the season.
But what did that result do to their own promotion ambitions and how has this win at the weekend impacted the rest of their promotion rivals?
Well, here, using data provided by FiveThirtyEight, we take a look at how the rest of the 2021/22 League One season may look and where Sunderland have been predicted to finish under new boss Alex Neil:
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But what did that result do to their own promotion ambitions and how has this win at the weekend impacted the rest of their promotion rivals?
21. 4th: Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls look destined for a playoff place this season and considering their start to the campaign, that would be constitute a good result for Darren Moore's side. Predicted points: 83 (+24 GD) - Probability of playoff place: 77% - Probability of promotion: 34% - Probability of finishing 4th: 25% Photo: George Wood
MK Dons seem like the only challengers to the top two and will hope they can continue to capitalise on the pair when they drop points. Predicted points: 85 (+28 GD) - Probability of playoff place: 74% - Probability of promotion: 39% - Probability of winning League One: 3% - Probability of finishing 3rd: 32% Photo: Clive Mason
Second place looks like being Wigan's to lose at this point and although they are still comfortably ahead of MK Dons, they won't want to slip up too many times and open the door for Liam Manning's side. Predicted points: 91 (+32 GD) - Probability of promotion: 73% - Probability of winning League One: 18%, Probability of finishing 2nd: 50% Photo: Lewis Storey
The Millers have been one of the most consistent sides in the league this year and look like running away with the title. Predicted points: 97 (+50 GD) - Probability of promotion: 97% - Probability of winning League One: 78% Photo: George Wood