Ipswich Town: Computer predicts final 22/23 League One table

Analysts at FiveThirtyEight have updated their pre-season predictions for the third tier, using results and performances so far this season to simulate the remaining months.

And they believe Kieran McKenna's Blues, who are currently second in the table after almost half the season, will finish in that spot after the final ball is kicked.

The boffins estimate that Town will finish with 87 points and a mighty goal difference of plus 33, enough to earn them promotion back to the Championship.

The simulation predicts that only Sheffield Wednesday - the team currently in third place - will finish above them, with 88 points.

Plymouth, the side who are top of the table at Christmas, are tipped to just miss out on automatic promotion, finishing third, an agonising point behind the Blues.

The rest of the play-off places are set to be filled by Barnsley (81 points), Derby County (80 points) and Bolton (72 points).

The predictions estimate that Town have a 59% chance of promotion, and a 28% chance of winning the league - again, second only to the Owls (63% and 30% respectively).

Sam Morsy has lead Town to second spot in the table at Christmas (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738)

In terms of relegation, the analyst team forecasts that Cambridge United, Burton Albion, Forest Green Rovers and Morecambe will be the sides sent down to League Two.

You can see the full predicted table here.

The latest predictions are a shift from their pre-season forecasts - which tipped Derby to win the league, Sheffield Wednesday to finish second and Town to end up third.

FiveThirtyEight have form for getting things right, correctly predicting last season that Fulham and Bournemouth would be the top two in the Championship, and that Peterborough would be relegated.

Their complex formula, honed over years of analysis, is based on an SPI (soccer power index) rating, which also calculates the offensive and defensive qualities of every team.