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Supercomputer Forecasts Final Standings for Champions League League Phase

As the 2026/27 Champions League season approaches with groups set, a supercomputer has attempted to forecast the outcomes of the league phase. Paris Saint-Germain remain the favorites, aiming for a third straight title, but they face strong challenges from Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

This revamped format, now in its third year since UEFA replaced the traditional group stage before the 2024/25 campaign, means every match is critical. A single result can dramatically affect a team's progression.

Football Ranked's analysts have combined statistics, fixture difficulty, and thousands of simulations to build a predicted final table as accurately as possible.

Bottom of the Table (Ranks 36-28)

The debutants, Azerbaijani club Sabah FK, are expected to struggle at the bottom due to facing the toughest opposition. They are predicted to earn just 2.9 points.

  • 36. Sabah: 2.9 points
  • 35. Slovan Bratislava: 3.7 points
  • 34. Shakhtar Donetsk: 4.9 points (playing home games at Chelsea's stadium)
  • 33. LASK: 5.6 points
  • 32. Slavia Prague: 5.7 points
  • 31. Viking FK: 5.9 points (hoping to emulate Bodo/Glimt’s recent success)
  • 30. Feyenoord: 6.9 points
  • 29. AEK Athens: 7.9 points
  • 28. Galatasaray: 8.5 points (notoriously unpredictable)

Mid-Lower Table (Ranks 27-19)

Villarreal, Club Brugge, and Real Betis are forecasted to fall short of qualifying for the knockout rounds, possibly entering an additional playoff. Real Betis might miss out narrowly due to goal difference compared to Lille in 24th place.

  • 27. Villarreal: 9.0 points
  • 26. Club Brugge: 9.3 points
  • 25. Real Betis: 9.6 points
  • 24. Lille: 9.6 points
  • 23. RC Lens: 9.6 points
  • 22. Bodo/Glimt: 10.0 points
  • 21. RB Leipzig: 10.6 points
  • 20. Fenerbahce: 10.8 points
  • 19. Atletico Madrid: 10.9 points (not expected to repeat last season’s semi-final run)

Mid-Table (Ranks 18-10)

Como are an inspiring story under Cesc Fabregas, predicted to finish with 11 points alongside Porto. Sporting CP, Roma, and Napoli also feature prominently, with Napoli boasting stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund. Borussia Dortmund are struggling after significant changes despite their recent final appearance.

VfB Stuttgart just miss the top 10 despite having the easiest opponents, while Europa League champions Aston Villa sit comfortably in tenth despite a tough start to their domestic season.

  • 18. Como: 11.0 points
  • 17. Porto: 11.0 points
  • 16. PSV: 11.3 points
  • 15. Sporting CP: 11.7 points
  • 14. Roma: 12.0 points
  • 13. Napoli: 12.5 points
  • 12. Borussia Dortmund: 13.2 points
  • 11. VfB Stuttgart: 13.3 points
  • 10. Aston Villa: 14.0 points

Top 9 Teams

Manchester United return to Europe’s elite, predicted to finish ninth and face a playoff round. Manager Michael Carrick will be tested with the increased workload.

Barcelona and Liverpool edge them out for spots inside the top eight, while Inter Milan take sixth, signaling another serious bid after near misses in recent finals.

Real Madrid improve significantly to fifth under Jose Mourinho, hoping for better results than last year’s ninth-place finish.

Manchester City continue their strong run with 16.9 expected points, maintaining Pep Guardiola's dominance.

PSG come in third, just behind the leaders, with Arsenal second after topping the previous season’s table.

  • 9. Manchester United: 14.1 points
  • 8. Barcelona: 14.8 points
  • 7. Liverpool: 15.4 points
  • 6. Inter Milan: 16.2 points
  • 5. Real Madrid: 16.5 points
  • 4. Manchester City: 16.9 points
  • 3. Paris Saint-Germain: 17.1 points
  • 2. Arsenal: 17.7 points
  • 1. Bayern Munich: 18.9 points

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