It's crunch time in the Championship - and Opta's infamous super-computer has crunched the numbers to predict the final points totals and finishing positions.

They rate current leaders Leicester as being the ones to hold onto their position to the end of the season, with a 72.7% chance of winning the title.

The Foxes are backed to finish on 96 points, with Ipswich and Leeds both on 93 while Southampton are set to finish on 88.

Crunching the numbers, Opta have said Ipswich are more likely to finish second, on goal difference ahead of Leeds.

Don't shoot the messenger...

The 2015/16 Championship season was won by Burnley, claiming the title by four points under Sean Dyche.

Hot on the heels of the Clarets were Middlesbrough and Brighton, who both finished second and third respectively on 89 points, with just two goals separating them in goal difference.

Although they finished 15 points above them in the table, Brighton were knocked out in the play-offs by Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-finals.

It was not meant to be, however, for the Owls, who lost 1-0 to Yorkshire rivals Hull City in the final at Wembley.

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In the 2011/12 Championship season, just three points separated the top three sides in the division, with Reading winning the title and Southampton a point behind them in second.

West Ham United finished third that season, but did manage to hold their nerve in the play-offs to seal their return to the Premier League.

The Hammers beat Cardiff City 5-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals before Ricardo Vaz Te's late winner in the final at Wembley against Blackpool earned a 2-1 win and a return to the top-flight.

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A few years before England's second tier was rebranded as the "Championship", Sunderland were involved in one of the narrowest title races in the then First Division.

With Nottingham Forest winning the title with 94 points, Sunderland finished third on 90 points, with the Black Cats missing out on promotion by a point to North East rivals Middlesbrough.

They reached the play-off final but were beaten in on the most memorable play-off finals in history.

Following a 4-4 draw after extra-time against Charlton Athletic, Sunderland missed out on promotion after a 7-6 defeat in the penalty shootout at Wembley.

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Both Ipswich Town (89) and Southampton (84) who currently sit outside of the Championship's automatic promotion places, could reach the 90-point mark.

Should either do so, it will be the first time in Championship history (since 2004) that a team will finish a season with 90 or more points and it not guarantee automatic promotion.

The last time it happened in England's second tier was the 1997/98 season where Sunderland finished third on 90 points. In the same season, Charlton Athletic finished fourth on 88 points.

Let's take a look now at the race to reach the Premier League.

The Championship automatic promotion race is going down to the wire, with two of Leicester, Ipswich, Leeds and Southampton in contention to go up automatically.

Here's where we stand...

Some additional news to follow this morning's announcement of the referees for Euro 2024.

Stuart Atwell, the man at the centre of Nottingham Forest's ire from the weekend's fixtures, has been named as a video assistant referee for the tournament.

Atwell was the VAR for Forest's defeat at Goodison Park, where his decision not to give three penalty claims to the visitors led to the club's explosive statement on social media.

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football reporter

Uefa are set to confirm 26-man squads for this summer’s European Championships in Germany later this week.

A meeting of the European governing body’s national competitions committee voted in favour of the change, which is set to be ratified by the executive committee later this week.

Uefa had planned to revert back to 23-man squads after allowing the three-man expansion for Euro 2020 due to the ongoing impact of COVD-19.

However, a change was suggested at a recent Euro 2024 coaches meeting and that has gained widespread support.

England boss Gareth Southgate had previously been in favour of 23-man squads due to the difficulty in managing an extended group.

However, he has changed his thinking due to the scale of injuries being suffered across the Premier League this season.

The kick-off time for the 2024 FA Cup Final has now been officially confirmed as 15.00 BST on Saturday.

The final, between Manchester City and Manchester United, will be played on 25 May at Wembley.

It was moved back to 3pm on Saturday, the traditional kick-off time for the final, last year - which was also contested between the Manchester rivals.

The same time has now been confirmed for this season's showpieve, which will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Anthony Taylor was, of course, the on-pitch referee for the controversial Premier League match between Everton and Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

He will be one of the 18 referees at the centre of the action at Euro 2024.

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Some breaking refereeing news to bring you - but it's nothing to do with Nottingham Forest.

English officials Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver have been named among 18 referees selected to take charge of matches at Euro 2024.

Roberto Rosetti, UEFA managing director of refereeing, said: “Euro 2024 is the pinnacle of European national team football with the best teams competing and that’s why we have selected the best referees to officiate these matches.

"All chosen referees have performed consistently to the highest standards in Uefa’s top competitions, and also in their domestic competitions. They have prepared exceptionally well to be in this position and we have full confidence in them to show their quality at the final tournament.”

In addition, as part of a co-operation between Uefa and the South American Football Confederation Conmebol, a referee from Argentina, Facundo Tello, together with two assistants, will join the European group of referees at the final tournament in Germany.

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Newcastle United

Eddie Howe on Lewis Miley's injury: "The decision was made on Lewis to protect him long-term. We won’t see Lewis again this season. Even if there was a chance, we took that away quite early on with his age, we are just thinking about his long-term prospect."

BBC Sport has a dedicated Newcastle page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe on Joe Willock's injury: "We have decided that a period where he strengthens the area around his Achilles will benefit him more. The long-term view was taken, we will get him right for next season. Surgery wouldn’t be beneficial for him in this situation. It is frustrating for Joe, but hopefully we can get to the situation where he is playing freely next season.”

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson's return to training: "Callum has trained really well this week; it has been good to have him back. The energy and quality that he brings, he has come back looking really good. We anticipate he will be able to hit the ground running and make an impact for us.”

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe on injuries to Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles: "I think both players have handled it well. Sven has been back in Holland so we've not seen them. It's hard because your whole life and routine changes. Once the focus is on recovery it's easier to switch back.