Carlisle United are tipped to secure automatic promotion by the skin of their teeth - in the latest Supercomputer forecasts.

Data experts reckon the Blues will go up in third place in League Two.

They predict an 80-point finish for Paul Simpson's side, leaving them a point ahead of fourth-placed Northampton Town in a nailbiting finish.

United, in the predicted standings, finish two points behind second-placed Stevenage and nine adrift of likely champions Leyton Orient.

The forecasts, by FiveThirtyEight, see the Blues taking another 16 points from their final 11 games.

Among the combinations of results that can help them achieve that is five wins, a draw and five defeats.

United are also predicted to finish with a goal didfference of +25, the second best in the division and an improvement of two on their current GD figure.

The statistical simulations by the data gurus reckon Carlisle have a 60 per cent probability of being promoted, a 44 per cent chance of making the play-offs, and a nine per cent chance of snatching the title.

They have Northampton, Bradford City, Mansfield Town and Stockport County occupying the four play-off places, with Salford City just missing out.

At the other end, meanwhile, it is bad news for Haetlepool United, who are forecast to be relegated along with bottom side Rochdale, with Crawley Town surviving by a four-point margin.

FiveThirtyEight compile forecasts and 'Soccer Power Index' ratings for teams in 40 leagues, regularly updating the figures.

They assess every team with an offensive rating that represents the number of goals it would be expected to score against an average team on a neutral pitch, and a defensive rating that represents the number of goals it would be expected to concede.

"These ratings, in turn, produce an overall SPI rating, which represents the percentage of available points — a win is worth three points, a [draw] worth one point, and a loss worth 0 points — the team would be expected to take if that match were played over and over again."

To see the full predicted table, click HERE