Opta’s supercomputer predicts Arsenal to finish top and gives them the best chance of winning the 2025–26 Champions League.
A clearer picture of the 2025–26 Champions League is emerging, with Opta’s supercomputer projecting which teams will advance after two rounds of matches.
Arsenal, unbeaten so far, are predicted to top the league phase, followed by holders Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Manchester City, Barcelona, Liverpool and Inter are also forecasted to secure direct qualification to the round of 16.
Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham, Napoli and Newcastle are among teams expected to reach the playoff stage, while debutants Union St. Gilloise and Azerbaijan’s Qarabag FK are also tipped to progress. Villarreal and Eintracht Frankfurt are projected to edge into the final playoff spots, but Bayer Leverkusen are set to miss out.
In the race for the title, Arsenal are given the best chance with 17.39%, followed by Liverpool (14.43%), PSG (12.47%), Barcelona (10.37%) and Manchester City (9.79%).
Despite early defeats for Barcelona and Liverpool, the forecast suggests Europe’s traditional powerhouses will still dominate the knockout rounds.