Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City are the four confirmed sides taking part in this season’s Championship play-offs.
The Whites had still been hopeful of securing a place in the top two going into last Saturday’s final day but in the end, were comfortably pipped to second spot by Ipswich Town.
After such a poor end to the season, Martin O’Neill now thinks Daniel Farke has a big job on his hands picking his side back up for the play-offs.
Farke is set to lead Leeds against his former club Norwich in the semi-finals, and will be looking for a repeat of their regular season double across the two legs.
The winner of that tie will face one of Southampton or West Bromwich Albion at Wembley for the chance to take the last remaining spot in next season’s Premier League.
OPTA supercomputer predicts Leeds’ play-off chances
For the neutral, this is undoubtedly the best period on the footballing calendar and Leeds know all to well of the drama that the play-offs can bring.
In their five attempts to be promoted via this method, Leeds have failed on each occasion. The Whites have also not won a single home play-off tie since 1987.
Leeds will also have to make history if they want to win this season’s play-offs by becoming the first side to do so after losing four of their last six league matches.
With so many records seemingly stacked against them, Leeds fans are feeling pessimistic over their team’s chances, but OPTA’s supercomputer may be able to provide them with hope.
Using data from across the entire Championship season, OPTA have Leeds as the favourites to progress to the final and win it. They believe there is a 58.8 per cent chance of Leeds getting to Wembley, and a 33.2% of lifting the trophy.
Southampton are in at second favourites with a 26.4 per cent chance of winning them, with both West Brom and Norwich’s hopes calculated at 20.2 per cent.
Chris Sutton predicts Championship play-offs
As it gets ever closer to the Championship play-offs getting started at midday on Sunday, excitement has started to build.
Chris Sutton is one of many pundits to have shared his prediction for them this week, but has gone against the OPTA supercomputer.
Instead, he believes Southampton are the favourites going into it and has backed them to go all the way due to the strength of their squad.
He said: “I make Southampton favourites for the play-offs. I look at their squad and feel it’s the strongest. If Leeds do click, they could be devastating. Norwich have their own threats. West Brom have shown a real consistency.”