Drama Ends the League Phase
The Champions League league phase closed with wild drama on Wednesday night. Anatoliy Trubin’s 98th‑minute header for Benfica against Real Madrid became the defining moment of a chaotic final round. Several giants slipped, others surged, and the playoff draw on Friday confirmed the path to the knockouts.
Opta’s Supercomputer Updates the Odds
Opta’s supercomputer has now released fresh projections. The model evaluates form, performance data and historical trends. Its new rankings highlight clear favorites, strong challengers and surprising outsiders.
Arsenal Lead the Predictions
Arsenal top the list with a 30.64% chance of winning the Champions League. They won all eight league‑phase matches and impressed with consistency. Their lack of European pedigree under Mikel Arteta raises questions, but the model remains confident in their momentum.
Bayern and City Stay Close
Bayern Munich follow with 15.00%. Their only European defeat came against Arsenal. Vincent Kompany’s side otherwise looked sharp and controlled. Their strong Bundesliga position should help them focus on Europe. Manchester City sit at 10.99%. They struggled at times, yet their depth and knockout experience keep them dangerous.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona Remain in the Race
Liverpool hold an 8.77% chance as they chase a seventh European crown. Injuries remain a concern. Chelsea and Barcelona sit almost level at 7.25% and 7.24%. Both teams advanced despite inconsistent form. Their talent keeps them competitive, but neither convinced during the league phase.
PSG and Newcastle Face a Tougher Route
PSG missed automatic qualification and now sit at 4.94%. Newcastle follow at 3.16%. The model expects both to survive the playoffs, but doubts remain about their title chances.
Outsiders and Shock Lows
Inter, Tottenham and Sporting CP remain long shots. Real Madrid surprisingly sit at just 1.66% after a chaotic finish. Atlético Madrid close the list with 0.86%.
Source: SI
