The Tigers have just four games left of what’s been a fine campaign
Hull City looked to be on course for a big victory at Bramall Lane before losing 2-1(Image: Mark Sutton/Getty Images)
Hull City remain on course to secure a top-six finish despite their recent wobbles, according to Opta, who believe the Tigers will secure a place in the play-offs.
City haven’t won in their past three games and were beaten in controversial fashion at Sheffield United on Saturday, which was their fourth loss in their last eight outings.
Fortunately for City, Wrexham have lost their last two and Derby County two of their last three, which leaves them with a four-point cushion going into the final four games of the season.
Those remaining four see City host Birmingham City on Saturday, before going to relegation-threatened Leicester City next Tuesday night, followed by their final away trip to Charlton Athletic. The curtain comes down on the regular season against Norwich City at the MKM Stadium two weeks on Saturday.
According to stat boffins Opta, Sergej Jakirovic’s Tigers will claim another five points to see them nestled on 73 points and clear of both Wrexham (69) and the Rams (68).
Unsurprisingly, Opta have Ipswich Town going up in second behind champions Coventry City, with Millwall, Middlesbrough and Southampton making up the rest of the top six.
Having previously been backed to get the final by Opta, City’s recent form has seen them drift to firm outsiders for a play-off final victory.
Southampton (95.7 per cent) have gone in as favourites, followed by Boro (95 per cent), Millwall (93.90) and then the Tigers (79.58) according to their predicted table.
At the other end, Oxford United, Leicester City and Oxford United are the three expected to go down, though that could yet change should West Brom be slapped with a points deduction.
How Opta’s final predicted table looks…
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