LATICS are predicted to preserve their Football League status and finish 21st in League Two this season, according to a supercomputer.

The table, which is based on a wide range of data from football statistics website FiveThirtyEight, predicts that John Sheridan’s men will finish a turbulent 2021/22 season on 47 points - two places and four points above the drop zone.

This is a significant improvement from just last week, when Oldham were expected to finish second bottom with 43 points, and therefore suffer relegation from the Football League, based on the season's data and predicted results.

But Saturday's impressive win at home to Bradford City, alongside Carlisle's 3-0 home defeat to Swindon, has had a significant impact on how they see the remainder of the season panning out.

The situation has looked bleak for Latics since the turn of the year according to FiveThirtyEight, with Latics positioned in the bottom two since January 4.

In reality, Oldham fell back into the League Two relegation zone on November 27 following defeat at Salford City in the first game after parting company with Keith Curle.

Latics found themselves in the bottom two as they approached the halfway stage of the season, having won just four of their 19 League Two games.

A run of one win in 10 in all competitions contributed to Curle leaving the club by mutual consent in the week leading up to the game at Salford, following a 2-1 defeat at Northampton Town.

A comeback win over Port Vale, who were second at the time, had kept them out of the bottom two. But defeat at Salford and a late win for fellow strugglers Carlisle United meant the Cumbrians leapfrogged Latics and consigned them back to the drop zone.

But a run five-game unbeaten run under Sheridan, allied with other teams getting sucked into the relegation battle, has seen a shift in the right direction for Oldham, with Saturday's win against Bradford elevating them to 22nd place with 29 points.

But while FiveThirtyEight predicts a tough time ahead, with defeats in three of their next four games anticipated - away to Colchester, Crawley and Swindon, the view based on their data is that Latics will do enough overall to secure Football League safety.

Carlisle replaced Latics in the bottom two at the weekend, and that is where they are predicted to stay, with a 44-point haul.

Scunthorpe, who currently prop up the table with 22 points, are expected to stay in that position and end the season with 38 points.

Runaway leaders Forest Green Rovers have a 48 per cent chance of being crowned champions, according to the website, and 80 per cent chance of securing promotion.

Northampton are predicted to finish runners up, and Swindon Town third.

The website has Tranmere Rovers, who are currently second, finishing 11th.

Here is the predicted League Two table in full:

1. Forest Green Rovers

2. Northampton

3. Swindon

4. Exeter

5. Port Vale

6. Leyton Orient

7. Sutton United

8. Newport

9. Salford

10. Harrogate

11. Tranmere

12. Rochdale

13. Bristol Rovers

14. Mansfield Town

15. Bradford City

16. Colchester

17. Walsall

18. Crawley Town

19. Barrow

20. Hartlepool

21. Stevenage

22. Oldham Athletic

23. Carlisle United

24. Scunthorpe