Champions League Predictions: Opta Supercomputer Reveals Favourites for 2025-26

LONDON, England — The UEFA Champions League is set to start on September 16, with fans excited for another thrilling season of top-tier European football. The 2025-26 season marks the 71st edition of the tournament, featuring a change in format that introduces 36 teams competing in a single league stage.

Last season, Manchester City reigns as the reigning champions, securing their first-ever title with a 5-0 victory. Following a significant overhaul, the tournament now includes a league table where each club plays eight matches. The top eight teams will advance to the knockout stage, while those finishing 9th to 24th will face off in playoff rounds.

This format resulted in an increase in scoring, as the last edition saw an average of 3.27 goals per game, the highest since 1975-76. English teams dominate this year’s competition, with six clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City.

According to predictions from the Opta supercomputer, Liverpool leads the odds with a 20.4% chance of winning, despite being eliminated early last season. Liverpool topped their league phase in 2024-25 with an impressive record of seven wins out of eight matches. Arsenal follows closely with a 16.0% chance, having reached the semi-finals last year.

Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning champions, are third at 12.1% as they aim to repeat their success despite facing a challenging league phase this season. Their fixtures are among the toughest, alongside Bayern Munich and PSV.

Manchester City stands at 8.4%, with Barcelona sharing the same odds. Both teams had underwhelming campaigns last season, but City is still hopeful of reclaiming their status. Real Madrid is pegged at 5.8%, while Chelsea holds a 7.0% chance after a recent Club World Cup win.

Bayern Munich is placed at 4.4% while Inter Milan sits at 3.0%, reflecting doubts about their prospects following a coaching change after reaching two finals in three years. Meanwhile, Newcastle and Napoli each have projected odds below 2%, indicating the competitive landscape they face.

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League promises excitement with its new format and a host of clubs aiming for glory. Liverpool will seek to capitalize on their strong performances while rivals like Arsenal and PSG look to stake their claim for this prestigious title.