Supercomputer makes new 2026/27 EFL Championship final table prediction after first matches | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at Opta's predicted table after the first round of Championship fixtures

The Championship's opening weekend came to a close on Monday, with Cardiff City's late equaliser against Wrexham rounding off a thoroughly entertaining first set of games.

The three relegated sides all drew their opening games — albeit two of them played each other — Southampton were beaten in league action for the first time since mid-January, and Middlesbrough were pushed all the way to the end by Lincoln City in their first second-tier outing since 1961.

Granted, no one should get carried away after just one game, but if the opening weekend is anything to go by, this season looks set to be one of the more dramatic, entertaining, unpredictable Championship campaigns we've seen in a while.

But how carried away are Opta getting? And does its supercomputer feel that teams who made the fastest start will be up there come May 1st? Here's their updated predicted table.

24 ? ? Stoke City

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Opta had Stoke City as the side most likely to be relegated from the Championship this season before a ball was kicked, and a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City on opening day hasn't done much to shift that notion.

That's now seven wins in 33 league games since November 8 for Mark Robins' side, with 12 defeats in their last 21.

That hangover from the end of last season will need to be turned around quickly to get them off the foot of the predicted table anytime soon.

23 ? ? Preston North End

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There were some worries about Preston North End going into the new campaign, mainly due to a lack of movement in the transfer window.

Going 2-0 down inside 25 minutes against a newly promoted side in Bolton Wanderers, who also haven't had the most ideal summer, and many are tipping them to be in a battle down at the bottom with Preston, doesn't bode well for North End's survival chances.

Like Stoke, Paul Heckingbottom's side started strong last year before being a poor side in the second half of the campaign. Their squad hasn't necessarily improved from that point, and a big few weeks in the transfer window will be required to improve the overall outlook for the year ahead.

22 ? ? Bristol City

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Bristol City were bad on the opening day, losing 2-0 at home to Millwall.

That can be caveated, though, by the fact that they were reduced to 10 men after Adam Randell received two yellow cards in the space of 13 first-half minutes, and they were playing last season's third-placed side who had the best away record in the division.

There's still plenty to do for Michael Skubala to prove that this Robins side has the potential to finish in the top half, in Opta's eyes at least, with them rounding out the bottom three after the first round of games.

21 ? ? Cardiff City

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Cardiff were behind for 95 minutes on Monday night against Wrexham, but saved a point thanks to a Rubin Colwill free kick.

There was a lot of possession, as is the case with a Brian Barry-Murphy side, but little in terms of attacking danger in open play, with the Bluebirds generating 0.39 open play expected goals against one of the worst remaining Championship defences from last season.

It's not the end of the world, and as a newly-promoted side, 21st would be more than fine for Cardiff this year, but Opta haven't taken much positivity from that opening day draw.

20 ? ? Charlton Athletic

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Charlton Athletic got off to a winning start yet again this season, somewhat surprisingly coming from behind to beat Derby County at the Valley.

There was much more attacking intent as Nathan Jones switched to a back four, which helped the Addicks secure promotion from League One a couple of years ago, and Tyreece Campbell looked back to nearing his best in that system, albeit it was just one game.

Opta had Charlton second favourites for relegation before the season began, so to be 20th after gameweek one is a show of faith towards the Addicks' chances this year.

19 ? ? Bolton Wanderers

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Bolton surprised a lot of people on the opening day, beating Preston 2-1 at a sold-out Toughsheet Stadium.

Plenty of players who had yet to make their Championship debuts put together a solid showing, and it can only be encouraging that this Trotters side was able to grind out a win on their return, despite being far from the finished product.

But, as mentioned, the Lilywhites will also be looking nervously over their shoulder, so Opta aren't getting too carried away over an opening-day win against them. 19th is still a position that Bolton fans would love to be in come May.

18

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Portsmouth's defensive collapse towards the end of the first half in each of their two competitive games to open the season is some cause for concern.

Despite taking the lead against both West Ham United and QPR, Pompey would lose 3-1. Against the Hammers, they conceded in the 43rd, 45th and 50th minutes. On Saturday, Julien Stephan's side scored in the 33rd, 40th and 45+2 minutes.

That being said, they're starting games strong, and if John Mousinho can get to the bottom of this issue, alongside a strong end to the summer window, Pompey shouldn't be in as much danger as they have been at times during their current Championship tenure.

17 ? ? Watford

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It's become a bit of a cliché that not many people know what to expect from Watford each year. A win against Southampton on opening day doesn't do much to change that.

Opta did have the Hornets' relegation probability at 25.3% before the season started, though, so to be up at the dizzying heights of 17th after that win against the Saints indicates positivity, rather than this being a one-off performance under Alessio Dionisi.

What Sunday did showcase, though, is that, regardless of the off-field noise, Watford have quality within their side on the field, and that should be enough to avoid a shocking relegation this year.

16 ? ? Lincoln City

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Lincoln didn't have to change the game plan much in their opening Championship outing. Last season, they excelled out of possession and got the ball forward quickly, and it nearly worked against top second-tier opposition in Middlesbrough.

Arguably, if this game took place towards the end of last season, the Imps would likely have left the Riverside with a 1-0 win, or at least a 1-1 draw.

So, to come out with a narrow defeat away at one of the title favourites doesn't take away from people's optimism about this Lincoln side in the Championship. If anything, it added to their survival chances.

15 ? ? Backburn Rovers

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Historically, it's always a good time to play a recently relegated side in the opening few games of the campaign, but while Wolves weren't fully at the races on Friday, that was partially due to a brilliant away performance from Blackburn Rovers.

Tony Mowbray's side took their chances when they came and limited Wolves while they were chasing things at 2-1 down. In the end, a contentious penalty decision was all that stopped them from leaving Molineux with all three points.

There is quality in this Blackburn squad, even if there's general frustration at a lack of additions. If they can stay fit, and Mowbray can continue his success at Ewood Park, Rovers may be well away from a relegation battle come the end of the season.