How data experts now rate Sheffield United promotion chances; Middlesbrough, Millwall, Blackburn in play-off hunt

Sheffield United’s weekend defeat at Blackburn Rovers, coupled with Middlesbrough’s 5-0 tousing of Reading, saw the Blades’ lead over Michael Carrick’s men cut to just four points, with Boro’s goal difference receiving a boost in the process.

United can reestablish their seven-point lead if they beat Reading away on Tuesday evening, in their game in hand over Boro.

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With 12 games of the regular season remaining – or 11 for Boro – there will be plenty more twists and turns to come, for sure, in a division as competitive as it is unpredictable.

And the data boffins at FiveThirtyEight have applied their detailed statistical model to the Championship in a bid to determine how the final table will look come May, giving each side a percentage chance of relegation or promotion.

Here's how, in reverse order, they believe the Championship table will finish – with the change in a side’s fortunes from the previous gameweek also indicated. But will it play out that way?