Arsenal have emerged as the leading favourites to win the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, according to Opta’s latest supercomputer predictions.
The prediction model has placed the Gunners at the top of its projected league-phase standings, ahead of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Barcelona, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Arsenal are also rated as the strongest contender for the trophy, with a 21.18 per cent chance of winning the competition.
Bayern Munich follow closely with 19.90 per cent, while Manchester City are third on 12.03 per cent.
Barcelona are the highest-ranked Spanish side in the title race, with a 6.97 per cent chance of lifting the trophy. Real Madrid are given a 5.13 per cent chance.
Opta expects Barcelona to finish fourth in the league phase and Real Madrid seventh, which would see both clubs progress directly to the round of 16 without having to play a knockout play-off.
Barcelona are also marginally ahead of Real Madrid in their chances of reaching the final, with the Catalan giants given a 14.41 per cent probability compared with 10.39 per cent for Madrid.
However, the predictions make for less encouraging reading for Spain’s other representatives.
Real Betis and Villarreal are both tipped to exit during the league phase, while Atletico Madrid are projected to finish 22nd.
A 22nd-place finish would force Atletico into the knockout play-off, where they could face one of the competition’s major clubs for a place in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain face a difficult challenge as they attempt to make Champions League history.
The French champions, who have won the last two editions, have been given only a 7.73 per cent chance of securing a third consecutive title.
Only Real Madrid have previously won the Champions League three times in succession, and PSG will be hoping to emulate that historic achievement this season.
Opta’s figures suggest Arsenal and Bayern currently have the strongest claims to end the campaign as European champions.
