Supercomputer predicts Champions League winner for 2024-25: What a season it would be for them

The 2024-25 Champions League is well underway and as the knockout stages approach, fans and pundits alike continue to make their predictions for the continent's top club competition with little foregone conclusion. While many expected Real Madrid to continue their dominance after reaching a long-awaited deal for Kylian Mbappe, Los Blancos have been somewhat hampered and Liverpool's incredible start to the tournament has led many to believe that Arne Slot's men can go all the way.
After the first six weeks of play in the new competition, which has seen the likes of Sporting and Monaco emerge as potential surprise teams, The Athletic's supercomputer has simulated the rest of the season in order to predict which club is most likely to finish the season as European champions. The data experts have put together an interesting breakdown of where each team is most likely to finish in the league stage of the tournament based on their successes, also ranking the teams in order of who are the favourites to go all the way and lift the crown.
Their information has been gathered from 10,000 simulations to determine which team has the best chances based on their current state. While some groups of supporters will look at their chances with an element of disappointment, others may find themselves surprised at how well they are predicted to do.
As winners of last season's competition, when they beat Borussia Dortmund to a historic 15th triumph, Real Madrid had seemingly only strengthened their chances and repeated this time by adding Mbappe to their books in the summer. But so far, they look like a remnant of last year's glory. With a host of big-name players pulling out in all sorts of different directions, they are now projected to finish in 15th place, with them needing a play-off round to progress to the knockout stages.
Last season's runners-up Dortmund are expected to follow a similar path to Madrid, likely finishing ninth and securing the top play-off spot. At Anfield, Arne Slot's transformation work is gaining serious momentum, with the supercomputer predicting the Reds will maintain their unbeaten run. He predicts Liverpool will end the season with seven wins from eight games and one draw, following their impressive 2-0 victory over last season's winners Madrid.
Barcelona were second in the group with 18 points. They are trailed by Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta's side look to end their recent trophy drought in style.
For fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and Manchester City, the story is a little different. Unai Emery's tactical brilliance is expected to take the team into the last eight by the round of 16, with the Midlands outfit expected to finish in 7th place. However, the 2023 winners of this competition have struggled more than ever under Pep Guardiola. As a result, the Citizens are expected to drop to 22nd place after eight games, narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
Meanwhile, last season's Serie A champions Inter and their local rivals Milan are expected to finish in fourth and eighth place respectively, according to the supercomputer. German duo Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich are the two teams left to make the top eight, with Xabi Alonso once again besting the team he led to the Bundesliga title last season.
Slovan Bratislava look to be on their way to last place with just one point. Having suffered heavy defeats against Man City, Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic, they still have to face European elite in the form of Bayern Munich. Among those left out with the Slovaks are Bologna, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.
The supercomputer predicts Liverpool will carry their league-stage momentum to victory at the Allianz Arena. The Reds are predicted to go all the way, with Arne Slott's first season in charge delivering a record seventh Champions League title for the current Premier League leaders. Or at least that's the case at 21 per cent.
Arsenal have, notoriously, never won a European trophy, a fact that has become a frequent source of humour for rival fans. They are second favourites to lift the crown, with a 14 per cent chance, putting them in second place – something they have only recently recognised domestically.
Despite a difficult run of form recently, Manchester City still appear in the top eight to reach the grand final. As do Real Madrid, who have struggled in the tournament so far. Both teams will need to progress in the playoff format, but the supercomputer has let them do just that and has given the Spanish giants a 7 percent chance over City's 6.
Bayern Munich and Barcelona are expected to make big strides. As are Bayer Leverkusen and Inter, with last season's Europa League winner Atalanta failing to make it to the last 8. /Telegraph/
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