Championship: Supercomputer predicts final promotion spot after Ipswich draw vs Southampton
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Credit: Imago Wed 29 April 2026 20:26, UK Championship promotion-chasers Ipswich Town are now primed to finish second in the league ahead of the final day of the 2025-26 campaign.Kieran McKenna’s side came from behind to draw 2-2 with fellow promotion hopefuls Southampton on Tuesday night as Jack Clarke netted a late leveller.The point saw the Tractor Boys move clear of third-placed Millwall, while the Saints were ruled out of automatic promotion contention in fifth spot.Ipswich take on QPR at Portman Road on the last day of the second tier this weekend, and know a win will see them return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.Opta‘s supercomputer has crunched the numbers and revealed how likely Ipswich are to finish second in the Championship ahead of either Millwall or Middlesbrough.Opta make Ipswich clear favourites to win automatic promotionWhile Ipswich host QPR on Saturday at 12:30pm, Millwall face already-relegated Oxford United and Boro travel to Wrexham at the same time. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES McKenna’s men have won just one of their last five Championship outings, but the R’s have nothing to play for, and Opta have given them a 74.46 per cent chance of finishing second this weekend.#TeamPlayedGDPoints1.Coventry City (C)45+48922.Ipswich Town45+30813.Millwall45+13804.Middlesbrough45+25795.Southampton45+24776.Wrexham45+4707.Hull City45+3708.Derby County45+969The Championship promotion picture as it standsThey are set for a busy summer if promotion is secured, with sources exclusively revealing to Football Insider that Ipswich will target six new signings ahead of a return to the top flightMillwall are being given a much slimmer 23.38 per cent chance of winning automatic promotion, while Boro are only being predicted to pick up a point, with a 2.16 per cent chance of pipping the two rivals above them.Who are Opta predicting to make the Championship play-offs?Three teams are also involved in the play-off race ahead of Saturday, with Wrexham in sixth on the same points as Hull, while Derby sit eighth.The former two sides are only being backed to pick up a point, with Phil Parkinson’s side given a 45.28 per cent chance compared to Hull’s 34.24 per cent chance of making the top six as they host Norwich.Such results would leave Derby with a great chance of overtaking with a win against Sheffield United, but they are also predicted to draw, with a 20.48 per cent chance of finishing in the play-offs. 🏆 Championship Insider Access Get the full story from across the EFL with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from across the EFL Championship.