Supercomputer Predicts Imps’ League One Finish

Opta’s League One ‘supercomputer’ has predicted a strong campaign for Lincoln City, but we all know it’s conjecture.

Seriously, in an age where a computer can write your best man’s speech, or you can use it to get s street view of town in Texas, what is really ‘super’ about guessing a few league positions, wrongly?

Nothing.

Still, it is fun, isn’t it? Also, with the Imps tipped to secure a top-four finish come May, it’s a bit of a boost for supporters after the FA Cup exit.

The data-driven model, which analyses performance metrics across the season, suggests City’s consistency under Michael Skubala could see them maintain their position in the upper reaches of the table.

Imps Among Division’s Front-Runners

After an impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign, the Imps currently sit inside the top six alongside Bradford City, Stevenage and AFC Wimbledon. The latest projections from Opta forecast that we will end the season on 74 points — good enough for fourth place — just behind Stevenage and ahead of Bradford on goal difference.

The supercomputer’s data expects Stockport County to clinch the League One title, with Cardiff City taking the other automatic promotion place. Bolton Wanderers are predicted to sneak into the final play-off position after leapfrogging Wimbledon, while Luton Town and Huddersfield Town, both pre-season favourites for promotion, remain outside the top eight.

Plenty Still to Play For

With only six points separating top spot and eighth place at this stage, the League One race remains as tight as ever. Skubala’s side have impressed with their balance between defensive organisation and attacking fluidity, keeping pace with some of the division’s biggest spenders despite a modest budget.

At the other end of the table, Peterborough United, Port Vale, Burton Albion and Exeter City are all predicted to face relegation, while Plymouth Argyle, managed by Tom Cleverley, are forecast to narrowly avoid the drop.

Still, we all know that football cannot be predicted, and therefore this is nothing more than a bit of fun to while away a few hours on a Thursday morning.

Opta’s Predicted Final League One Table (as of November 5)