Reading are in with a chance of finishing in the League One play-offs. But will the still be in they top six come the end of the season?
The Royals currently sit 6th in League One, a point above Stevenage, who are 7th.
Crucially, Stevenage have two games in hand over Reading, which gives them the advantage in the race for the play-offs.
With the chance to make it to the Championship on the line, Opta’s supercomputer has predicted if Reading will finish in the top six come May.
Play-Off Heartbreak for Reading
Sadly, for Reading fans, Opta has predicted that their side will finish 8th at the end of the season.
Despite currently being on 61 points, Opta believes they will only finish on 69.72 points behind Stevenage in 6th and Plymouth Argyle in 7th.
The Royals have a tough final six games in the league, which goes some way to explain why they aren’t expected to finish in the play-off spots.
On Good Friday, Reading travel to fellow play-off hopefuls Huddersfield Town and then host title bound Lincoln City on Easter Monday. That double header could be really make or break for their play-off hopes, depending on Stevenage’s results.
Reading do have “easier” games against Rotherham United and Blackpool, where they could pick up three points. But also play second-place Cardiff City and in-form Doncaster Rovers, both of which will be tough games in their own rights.
Who Will Finish in the League One Play-Offs?
With the end of the season just over the horizon, Opta has predicted who will finish in the League One play-off spots.
According to their supercomputer, the play-off spots will be occupied by:
- Bolton Wanderers
- Stockport County
- Bradford City
- Stevenage.
Their final league table sets up intriguing clashes between Bolton & Stevenage and Stockport & Bradford in the semi-finals.
As well as predicting the final league table, the supercomputer has given each time a probability of being promoted by the play-offs.
Bolton have the highest probability of returning to the second tier through the play-offs, with a 91.82% chance.
Stockport and Bradford have 86.9% and 82.3% chance respectively. While Stevenage have just a 39.56% probability.
Reading fans can take some optimism from the fact they’ve been given a 30.9% chance of going up through the play-offs.