Football Manager report throws up prospect of derby play-off!

The predictions, based on team’s current form and squads,suggest Burnley will just miss out on automatic promotion - and then lose to arch-rivals Blackburn Rovers in a two-legged play-off semi-final.

The simulation suggests Leicester City will storm to promotion and finishing a massive 14 points clear with 97 points for the season.

The Foxes will be joined by two returnees in the Premier League next season, with Harry Redknapp guiding QPR straight back up in second place with 83 points, and Nottingham Forest returning for the first time since 1999 via the play-offs, having finished fourth with 75 points.

Tom Davidson, Football Analyst for Sports Interactive said: ““Our simulation uses Football Manager’s unprecedented level of player data and unrivalled game engine to reveal the winners and losers in the Championship.

“It’s been a fascinating experiment.”

Burnley’s prediction reads: “Burnley sustain their title challenge until the very last month of the season when two losses and a draw in their final three games costs them automatic promotion. They then lose to Blackburn in the play-off semis.”