Research by OLBG has revealed that by finishing 22nd, the Royals have finished exactly where they were expected to.

OLBG compared pre-season odds predictions with where teams actually finished in the league to calculate who over and under-performed.

Topping the table in the early autumn, and spending as many as 50 days in the top six, a wretched run post-World Cup break and a six-point deduction did the damage as the Royals were relegated to the third tier for the first time since 2002.

Reading Chronicle:

Sunderland were crowned the biggest overachievers with their surge to finish sixth having been predicted to end the campaign 10 places lower in 16th.

Norwich ended the Championship 12 places below where they were expected to finish, making them the league’s biggest underachievers.

Champions Burnley and promoted side Sheffield United also improved on expectations, as did Luton and Coventry, who both finished five places higher than forecast and they will now have a crack at reaching the Premier League.

Serial yo-yoers Watford were forecast to finish second but in ending 11th they significantly underachieved.

In finishing bottom of the pile, Wigan fell five places short of expectation, while Blackpool were two places below what was predicted as they prepare for a return to League One. Relegated Reading were the only team to finish exactly as expected.

Rotherham were predicted to take the wooden spoon but defied the gloomy forecast to finish clear of the drop zone in 19th.

Visit https://www.olbg.com for full research