Bottom-half finish for Man Utd? Supercomputer predicts 2025-26 Premier League table with surprise club featured in European places

The predictions made by Opta's supercomputer suggest Liverpool will successfully defend their Premier League crown, edging Arsenal to the title by a tighter margin than last season. Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Aston Villa round out the rest of the top six in the same order as the final standings last term. However, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are forecasted to endure more mid-table misery, while Palace’s rise is the standout surprise.  

Liverpool’s summer spending spree under Arne Slot appears to have convinced the algorithm that they will remain the team to beat. Arsenal’s improvements have narrowed the gap, while Manchester City’s rebuild may see them fall short in the race. The forecast paints a picture of stability at the top, with only Crystal Palace breaking into the European mix.   

The projection also tips Brighton, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest to round out the top 10. At the other end, promoted Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland are all expected to go straight back down — making it the third consecutive season all newcomers are relegated. Wolves are predicted to finish 17th, comfortably ahead of the bottom three in expected points.   

The 2025-26 Premier League season kicks off this weekend, with Liverpool aiming to prove the supercomputer right and rivals determined to spoil the script. Manchester United and Spurs face early tests that could set the tone for their campaigns. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will look to turn a statistical prediction into reality on the pitch with a strong showing against Chelsea in the opener on Sunday, August 13.