Supercomputer makes Championship title prediction after West Ham embarrassment

Millwall have emerged as the new frontrunners for the Championship title following a blistering start to the 2026–27 season.

Written off as outsiders ahead of the campaign, the Lions have soared to the summit after back-to-back wins over Bristol City and Norwich City.

Now, the supercomputer predicts the East London side will hold onto top spot and outlast challengers like Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United.

West Ham entered the season as clear title favourites, but a draw with Burnley and a loss to Charlton have forced Opta to revise its forecasts. The Hammers currently sit 16th, three points shy of the play-offs and five adrift of the automatic promotion places.

As a result, manager Nuno Espírito Santo is under mounting scrutiny after failing to deliver the needed results thus far.

Who are the leading contenders for the Championship title?

As of 23 August, Opta gives Millwall a 17.64% chance of lifting the trophy and a 30.14% probability of securing automatic promotion.

Their closest rivals appear to be Wolves, who have taken four points from their opening two matches. César Peixoto’s men have a 12.72% title chance and a 23.26% promotion likelihood following their 3–1 victory over Preston North End.

Former favourites West Ham are no longer tipped for an automatic spot, with just an 11.04% title chance and a 20.88% probability of finishing in the top two.

Middlesbrough, also off to a rocky start, hold an 11.12% title chance and a 22.08% promotion probability. Meanwhile, Southampton—who began the season on –4 points—remain in the conversation with a 10.76% title shot and a 20.52% chance of a top-two finish.

Can Nuno Espírito Santo turn things around at West Ham?

The season has hardly begun worse for the Hammers.

They squandered a 2–0 lead against Burnley, then followed up with a humiliating defeat to Charlton—a side projected for a lower-mid-table finish.

And the fixtures don’t get kinder: a Carabao Cup trip to Southampton, a league visit to Watford, and then a home clash with Wolves on 1 September. Nuno will be expected to win at least two of those—and if he doesn’t, calls for his dismissal are sure to intensify.