A supercomputer has utilised its power to analyse data to make an interesting prediction for the 2022/23 League One table.
With the start of the new season just days away, fans of the third tier of English football are chomping at the bit for the action to get underway. And this year, we’re sure to have plenty of excitement.
Despite the best efforts of Wayne Rooney and his squad, financially-stricken Derby County were relegated from the Championship last term. At one point in pre-season, they only had five senior players. In addition, a failed takeover bid from US businessman Chris Kirchner left fans genuinely fearing the club’s future.
Since then, however, the Rams have been taken over by local businessman David Clowes. Having already taken significant steps to rebuild the squad, and so far avoiding another points deduction, Derby are bidding for an instant return to the second tier under new boss Liam Rosenior.
In addition, both Barnsley and Peterborough will hope to give their fans something to cheer about after going down last season. Furthermore, despite a loss in last season’s play-off final, Wycombe remain determined to make it back to the promised land of the Championship.
On the other side of the coin, having come up from the division below, Forest Green Rovers, Exeter City, Bristol Rovers and Port Vale all desperately want to stay afloat. However, they could perhaps even challenge at the top of the table.
Furthermore, with so many exciting variables involved, and with League One being one of the most unpredictable divisions in world football, supporters are completely divided on where the land will lie come the end of the season. But to settle arguments for now, we have a table generated by all the data available to man.
Supercomputer predicts 2022/23 League One table
Data website FiveThirtyEight have used their incredible technology to create an interesting table.
Their data suggests that Derby County will win the league with 89 points, closely followed by Sheffield Wednesday on 85. Furthermore, Ipswich, Barnsley, MK Dons and Portsmouth will make up the play-off places.
Furthermore, despite Derek Adams guiding them to safety last season, Morecambe’s proud record of never being relegated in their history is predicted to end. That’s because, according to the FiveThirtyEight model, the Shrimps are predicted to finish rock bottom.
Newly promoted Exeter, meanwhile, face the same fate, whilst Accrington Stanley and Cambridge fans would also have to deal with the heartbreak of seeing their club go down. However, we would be in for an exciting last day, with up to 10 teams potentially battling to stay up.
Bristol Rovers and Port Vale will narrowly avoid relegation, while Forest Green are tipped for a mid-table finish.
Gareth Ainsworth and Wycombe, meanwhile, will experience heartbreak, as they narrowly miss out on a place in the top six. However, if they can muster up a couple more points, then they could have a lot to shout about in May. In addition, Peterborough and Bolton will also have to deal with coming up short.
The entire table is as follows:
- 1. Derby County (89 points)
- 2. Sheffield Wednesday (85)
- 3. Ipswich Town (80)
- 4. Barnsley (76)
- 5. Milton Keynes Dons (75)
- 6. Portsmouth (72)
- 7. Wycombe Wanderers (72)
- 8. Bolton Wanderers (71)
- 9. Oxford United (70)
- 10. Peterborough United (66)
- 11. Plymouth Argyle (62)
- 12. Shrewsbury Town (62)
- 13. Lincoln City (61)
- 14. Charlton Athletic (61)
- 15. Forest Green Rovers (55)
- 16. Fleetwood Town (54)
- 17. Burton Albion (54)
- 18. Cheltenham Town (54)
- 19. Port Vale (51)
- 20. Bristol Rovers (51)
- 21. Cambridge United (50)
- 22. Accrington Stanley (50)
- 23. Exeter City (50)
- 24. Morecambe (48)
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