Labor leader Michael Daley has been counting down the days to the state election since the day he took on the job. As of today, he would tell you, there are 59 to go.

With no time to spare, the Opposition Leader has been going at break-neck speed since he replaced Luke Foley 133 days out from the March 23 poll. And for the first time, senior Labor strategists say, there is serious hope.

All eyes are on the seats that could change the political landscape in NSW. With the Coalition holding just a six-seat majority, minority government is the most likely outcome. The Nationals will take a hiding in the bush and on the far north coast and in Sydney, Coogee and East Hills are the Liberals’ biggest worries.

Shaking up NSW politics? Pauline Hanson and her recruit targeting the NSW upper house, Mark Latham, and his almost political ally, David Leyonhjelm. Credit:Fairfax Media, AAP

After that, it gets interesting and harder to predict. Independents are a real threat to the major parties but while much of the focus is on the lower house, the other major battle ground is the upper house, the Legislative Council.