Championship title race set for surprising outcome as supercomputer decides between Burnley, Leeds, and Sheffield United

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As we head for the final six games of the Championship season, the three-horse race for the title is looking too close to call, but a supercomputer has had a go at predicting the outcome.

Just a few weeks ago, the Championship title looked like it would be heading to Leeds United. But, just like last season, Leeds are falling apart again and now sit in third place.

Sheffield United were in the driving seat last weekend, but tripped up against Oxford United and now occupy second place.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	BurnleyBurnley	40	23	15	2	55	12	43	84
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	40	26	7	7	56	30	26	83
3	LeedsLeeds	40	23	13	4	79	28	51	82
4	SunderlandSunderland	40	21	12	7	57	37	20	75
5	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	40	17	9	14	61	49	12	60
6	Bristol CityBristol City	40	15	15	10	51	43	8	60

Meanwhile, Scott Parker’s relentless Burnley side are now top of the table for the first time in months, and it looks like it could take a great effort from their rivals to wrestle that lead away from them from here on out.

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Burnley set to be crowned champions, with surprise runner-up

There’s every chance this thrilling title race will go right down to the wire, and as we’ve seen one result here or there can absolutely swing the pendulum in favour of one team or another.

No one can truly see the future, but the Opta supercomputer has given it a good go and predicted what the final Championship table will look like after 46 games.

And, according to that particular data-driven algorithm, we can expect to see Scott Parker and Burnley lifting the title at the end of the season. The Clarets are projected to achieve a total of 95.74 points and have a 50.56% chance of winning the league.

Meanwhile, in a rather surprising turn of events, Opta’s supercomputer backed Leeds to turn things around and claim second place, with 94.06 points. The Whites have a 28.66% chance of winning the league, but a huge 66.96% chance of gaining automatic promotion.

Sheffield United may be sitting in second place right now, but they are predicted to fall away ever so slightly and finish third with 93.85 points. That’s far from ideal, as the Blades have a terrible play-offs record and have never won promotion via that route in their history.

Behind them, Sunderland will keep hold of fourth place as expected, while Bristol City continue to impress and will snatch fifth place, with Middlesbrough completing the play-off spots in sixth.

As we can see from the predicted points, there is just one point — not even that in some cases — separating the top three, and the same between fifth and sixth place. It’s been a brilliant season, and the fact so many teams are still fighting for glory just proves how strong the Championship is.

• READ MORE: Championship today as Burnley claim top spot, Danny Rohl reaches his limit, and Middlesbrough breach top six

Championship title is Burnley’s to lose – they’re relentless

At this point, it’s hard to look past Burnley as the champions. They’ve not lost in the league since the start of November, they’re tight at the back, and have started to score more goals, too.

In short, Scott Parker’s side are the complete package. They’re also the only one of the top three teams that has not shown any sign of weakness or a dip in form all season, and for that reason, they would be deserved winners of the league title.

We have expected for a while now that the top three’s final run-in would all hinge on that clash between Sheffield United and Burnley on April 21. Right now, that certainly looks like a six-pointer and a half, and we can’t wait to see who comes out on top.

Of course, given the strength of Burnley’s defence, and the fact both sides will be terrified of losing, we’re probably set for a boring 0-0 draw at Turf Moor. Although, by then, that might be just what Burnley want and need.