Yesterday should have been the final day of the 2019/20 season, but the suspension of football due to the coronavirus pandemic has halted play indefinitely.
However, the team behind Football Manager 2020 simulated the remainder of the season, and not only would Oxford United have won promotion to the Championship, but Karl Robinson’s side would have won their first league title since 1985.
According to the game, the season would have been decided on the final day. Three teams (Oxford, Rotherham and Coventry) headed into the final fixture level on 78 points at the top of the table, with just two automatic promotion places available.
The U’s, who had won five games in succession before the football was suspended, continued their impressive form until the end of the season, including four straight wins in April. One of the results was a 2-1 win over promotion rivals Coventry City at St. Andrews.
Rotherham United had a blip at the start of April but headed into the final day level on points with the U’s, as did Coventry, who managed just one win in April.
The ‘results’ on the final day were a nerve-racking affair. Oxford fell behind to already relegated Bolton Wanderers while the Millers took an early lead against Sunderland.
The U’s equalised through Matty Taylor before the break, before the Black Cats levelled proceedings against Rotherham. Minutes later, Taylor grabbed his second and Rotherham were unable to find a winning goal, leaving Oxford to secure promotion and win the league.
Coventry had to settle for a playoff place after a 3-1 defeat against AFC Wimbledon, and they were met alongside Peterborough United, Portsmouth and Sunderland, who just edged in with a point against Rotherham.
Meanwhile at the bottom, Tranmere Rovers and Southend United joined Bolton in relegation to League Two.
