Championship play-offs: Supercomputer predicts who Sunderland will play
Sunderland will learn who they will face in the Championship play-offs this weekend, with five teams set to battle it out on the final day.
The Black Cats have had little to play for in recent weeks. In early April, the club secured their play-off spot and are now certain to finish fourth in the table.
This has given Regis Le Bris time to prepare his squad for the upcoming challenge, with multiple Sunderland stars expected to return from their injuries in time for the play-offs.
However, the Black Cats still do not know who they will face in the semi-finals with the final two places still up for grabs.
Opta has now attempted to predict this, as the final day of the Championship season beckons.
Sunderland predicted to face Bristol City in play-off semi-finals
Going into the final day, Sunderland could still face five different teams in the play-off semi-finals.
Bristol City currently occupy fifth place, but their form has diminished in recent games after two successive losses.
Coventry City are also still in the play-offs, sitting sixth, but have also lost their past two games.
As a result, Millwall are now just outside the top six on goal difference, while Blackburn are one point behind.
Middlesbrough are also still in the race, sitting in ninth, three points behind Coventry, who they play on the final day.
Now, according to Opta (29 April), they predict that the Championship top six remains as it is after the final day.
This means that Sunderland will face Bristol City in the play-off semi-finals and either Sheffield United or Coventry City in the final.
| Team | Play-off odds |
| Bristol City | 89.14 per cent |
| Coventry City | 65.84 per cent |
| Millwall | 11.82 per cent |
| Blackburn Rovers | 13.12 per cent |
| Middlesbrough | 20.08 per cent |
Sunderland will not want to face Bristol City in play-offs
Recently, Sunderland have had a terrible time against Bristol City. The Black Cats recently lost to the Robins on Good Friday 2-1.
This now means that Sunderland have only won one of their last eight meeting against their potential opponents.
As a result, it is unlikely that any of the Stadium of Light faithful will want to play Bristol City in the play-offs given their terrible record.
However, if there is ever a time to end this poor run, it will be in the semi-finals.