West Brom play-off chances predicted by supercomputer after loss v Leicester City
West Brom have a 96.7 per cent chance of finishing in the play-off places despite their 2-1 loss against Leicester City on 20 April, according to Opta Analyst.
The report on 23 April gives the Baggies a 60.7 per cent chance of retaining fifth place, where they sit despite their defeat by the Foxes, with Norwich City failing to leapfrog them after being held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol City.
West Brom’s chances of slipping to sixth are calculated at 36 per cent, with just a 3.3 per cent chance of falling to seventh. Climbing above fifth is mathematically no longer possible.
West Brom are all but guaranteed a top-six finish
West Brom fans can be encouraged by the numbers, which are strongly in favour of the Baggies’ chances of participating in this season’s play-offs.
A single victory from their remaining two games against relegation strugglers Sheffield Wednesday and 10th-placed Preston North End should prove sufficient to seal their top-six spot. Seventh-placed Hull City are six points behind West Brom with a game in hand, but their goal difference is markedly inferior, with a 15-goal swing needed for the Yorkshire club to leapfrog their promotion rivals if the pair were to finish level on points.
Sheffield Wednesday do have plenty to play for and have picked up eight points from their last four games – but the Owls have the second-worst attacking record in the Championship, with only relegated Rotherham scoring fewer goals than their 39.
Conversely, final-day opponents Preston may occupy 10th spot and sit just nine points off Carlos Corberan’s men, but their recent form has been poor, losing each of their last three matches without scoring against Norwich, Southampton and QPR.
The Baggies will feel confident of picking up the points they need to mathematically secure their play-off place – and hopefully generate some momentum ahead of a promotion push.
In other West Brom news, Brendan Rodgers has sent a Mikey Johnston return message at Celtic.
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