Supercomputer Predicts Full Champions League Table: Arsenal First, Kairat Last
Opta Analyst's supercomputer has simulated the outcome of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase—and the projected final standings are full of surprises. From underdog breakthroughs to powerhouse failures, here's where all 36 teams are expected to finish.
36th – Kairat (3.11 pts)
The Kazakh side’s debut Champions League season looks set to end at the very bottom of the table. With just 3.11 expected points, they’re tipped to struggle against Europe’s elite.
35th – Ajax (5.90 pts)
A fall from grace for one of Europe’s most storied clubs. Four-time winners Ajax are predicted to crash out in 35th place, well outside play-off contention.
34th – Slavia Prague (6.29 pts)
Despite solid domestic form, Slavia Prague are forecast to bow out early. They narrowly avoid the bottom two but still finish well short of advancing.
Read also: AI Predicts the 2025/26 Champions League League Phase Table - Ranked
33rd – Athletic Club (6.57 pts)
The Basque side return to the Champions League but aren’t expected to make much of an impact, landing in 33rd place with just over 6.5 points.
32nd – PSV (6.86 pts)
PSV’s European campaign looks disappointing on paper. The Dutch outfit are projected to miss out on even a play-off spot.
31st – Copenhagen (6.99 pts)
Copenhagen come close to climbing higher but fall just short. Their 31st-place finish spells the end of their European journey.
30th – Bodo/Glimt (7.24 pts)
The Norwegian debutants are given little chance to replicate any fairytale run. They finish just above Copenhagen, but still out of contention.
Read also: Top 25 Greatest NHL Players of All Time
29th – Pafos (7.82 pts)
Cypriot club Pafos continue to impress domestically, but Europe may be a step too far. Their predicted finish of 29th shows the gap they still need to close.
28th – Benfica (8.04 pts)
Even with Jose Mourinho at the helm, Benfica are expected to underperform. A 28th-place finish would mark an embarrassing early exit for the Portuguese giants.
27th – Olympiacos (8.61 pts)
The Greek club are forecast to finish near the bottom of the table, unable to keep pace with stronger squads despite flashes of quality.
26th – Monaco (8.85 pts)
Despite earning a point against Man City, Monaco’s journey is expected to end early. They’re just one place outside of the play-offs.
Read also: Transfer Tierlist 2025: Who’s Irreplaceable and Who’s Still Waiting?
25th – Bayer Leverkusen (9.21 pts)
Fresh off a domestic double, Leverkusen’s campaign surprisingly stalls at 25th place. Just missing out on the play-offs, it’s a major letdown.
24th – Eintracht Frankfurt (9.45 pts)
The final team to squeeze into the play-offs, Frankfurt are predicted to edge out their Bundesliga rivals and keep their European hopes alive.
23rd – Villarreal (9.56 pts)
The Spanish side have enough quality to make the next round, landing just above Frankfurt and maintaining a foothold in the play-off race.
22nd – Olympique Marseille (9.66 pts)
The French side are expected to do just enough to stay in the competition, finishing in a respectable 22nd.
Read also: The Top 100 Football Clubs in the World - Ranked by Opta Analyst
21st – Union Saint-Gilloise (10.30 pts)
The Belgian club continue their meteoric rise in European football, securing a spot in the play-offs with a strong showing.
20th – Club Brugge (10.51 pts)
Another Belgian representative, Club Brugge outperform their domestic rivals and secure 20th place in the prediction.
19th – Sporting Lisbon (10.58 pts)
Sporting land safely in the play-off zone, thanks to a consistent showing across the league stage. They’ll look to push further.
18th – Galatasaray (10.76 pts)
After a big win over Liverpool, Galatasaray are forecast to continue their momentum. Their 18th-place finish gives them a shot at progressing.
Read also: The 100 Best Football Players of the 21st Century – Ranked
17th – Qarabag (11.01 pts)
A historic run is on the cards for the Azerbaijani side, who are tipped to reach the play-offs for the first time in club history.
16th – Juventus (11.02 pts)
The Italian giants make the seeded play-off cut by the slimmest of margins. Juve will aim to make their experience count in the knockouts.
15th – Atletico Madrid (11.80 pts)
Diego Simeone’s side are projected to be more comfortable in the seeded bracket, setting up a strong foundation for the play-offs.
14th – Atalanta (12.47 pts)
Even without Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta remain competitive. Their 14th-place finish puts them in a good spot for the next round.
13th – Newcastle United (12.93 pts)
Back in the Champions League mix, Newcastle are predicted to finish solidly in 13th—enough to stay in the competition and dream bigger.
12th – Napoli (13.13 pts)
With several key summer signings, Napoli are poised to finish in 12th, staying competitive after last season’s rollercoaster.
11th – Tottenham Hotspur (13.25 pts)
Under Thomas Frank, Spurs are expected to reach the play-offs comfortably. A projected 11th-place finish reflects steady progress.
10th – Borussia Dortmund (13.34 pts)
The German club continue to hang around Europe’s elite. With 13.34 points, Dortmund are well within reach of the knockouts.
9th – Chelsea (13.87 pts)
The Blues miss automatic qualification by a whisker. Still, they’re predicted to be the strongest team in the play-off field.
8th – Barcelona (15.07 pts)
Barcelona clinch the final automatic qualification spot. Under Hansi Flick, they’ve found renewed purpose in their continental campaign.
7th – Inter Milan (15.16 pts)
Despite recent heartbreak in two finals, Inter remain strong contenders. A seventh-place finish reflects their experience and resilience.
6th – Liverpool (15.39 pts)
Premier League champions Liverpool are predicted to finish sixth, setting up a favorable round of 16 draw if they maintain their momentum.
5th – Manchester City (15.57 pts)
Pep Guardiola’s side are just behind Madrid in fifth. It’s a tight margin, but City will be well-placed to chase the title again.
4th – Real Madrid (15.59 pts)
Now managed by Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid are expected to place fourth. The margin over City is razor-thin, but the experience remains unrivaled.
3rd – Bayern Munich (16.07 pts)
Led by Harry Kane’s goal-scoring exploits, Bayern Munich are forecast to finish third. The German side remain serious contenders.
2nd – Paris Saint-Germain (17.39 pts)
Reigning champions PSG are projected to finish second, just short of retaining top spot. Luis Enrique will still be aiming for a repeat triumph.
1st – Arsenal (18.51 pts)
Topping the table with over a point to spare, Arsenal are tipped to dominate the league stage. Their evolution under Mikel Arteta continues, and European glory may finally be within reach.
