Supercomputer Makes New Championship Title Prediction After Coventry City Outclass Middlesbrough

Opta's supercomputer has updated its Championship predictions, now favoring Middlesbrough to win the 2025-26 title ahead of league leaders Coventry City, following recent twists in the promotion race.[1]

The Championship promotion battle is intensifying with less than three months left in the season. Middlesbrough, under new manager Hellberg—who replaced Rob Edwards after his move to Wolves in November—have surged forward. Hellberg's side has secured nine wins in 14 games, including emphatic 4-1 and 4-0 victories over Hull City, Southampton, and Preston North End. A crucial 1-0 win against Norwich City last weekend leveled them on points with Coventry, though they now trail by one ahead of their Monday trip to Bramall Lane.[1]

Opta's latest simulations project Middlesbrough finishing atop the table with 83.91 expected points, edging Coventry's 83.84. Third-placed Ipswich Town are forecasted at 80 points, Hull at 76, setting up a tight race for automatic promotion and playoffs.[1]

Paul Heckingbottom’s Hull City, playoff contenders most of the season, are tipped for sixth on 67.35 points, narrowly ahead of Wrexham's 67.08. Millwall hold fifth, with Bristol City, Derby County, Birmingham City, and Stoke City filling the top half.[1]

Coventry, managed by Frank Lampard, have shown a dip in form after dominating much of the campaign, prompting the supercomputer's shift. Earlier predictions had varied, with Ipswich once favored for second and different playoff lineups, but Middlesbrough's momentum has flipped the script.[1][4][5]

These projections, based on current form and simulations, could evolve as the season progresses toward May 2026.[1]

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