AI Crystal Ball Reveals Shocking 2025-26 Premier League Standings: Will Man Utd Finally Overtake Liverpool?
The 2025–26 Premier League standings experienced a dramatic transformation after the November international break, as Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United all endured losses during Gameweek 12.
Four members of the English top-flight's 'Big Six' failed to claim victory upon returning to league competition. Man City's four-match winning run came to an end courtesy of Harvey Barnes' double at St. James' Park, succumbing 2–1 to Newcastle United.
Liverpool similarly earned no points this round, suffering a 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The reigning Premier League titleholders have managed just one victory in their previous seven league fixtures, allowing Arsenal to maintain their pursuit at the summit following an impressive 4–1 triumph over Spurs.
Man Utd hoped to mirror the successful approach of the Gunners and Chelsea—the Blues overcame Burnley 2–0 on Saturday—but the Red Devils fell 1–0 to a depleted Everton squad. They occupy 10th position in the standings after 12 matches.
Here's how Opta's supercomputer forecasts the Premier League championship battle to unfold following these four significant setbacks.
Supercomputer's Forecasted 2025–26 Premier League Standings
Premier League Championship Battle
Pos. | Team | Current Points | Expected Points | Title Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Arsenal | 29 | 81.40 | 76.65 |
2. | Man City | 22 | 71.07 | 13.64 |
3. | Chelsea | 23 | 64.96 | 3.70 |
Arsenal continue as Opta's selection to claim the championship, with the Gunners receiving a commanding 76.65% probability of breaking their Premier League title drought. Mikel Arteta's squad is projected to accumulate approximately 81 points, 10 ahead of anticipated runners-up Man City.
While securing second place would represent an improvement from last campaign's third-place conclusion, the Citizens would show no points-based progress despite investing £179.4 million ($235.1 million) during the summer window. There existed a possibility Man City could recover in the title contest, but this weekend's loss reduced their championship prospects to merely 13.64%.
The significant shift in Opta's projections involves the third club remaining competitive for the English title: Chelsea. The Blues have formally overtaken Liverpool and are anticipated to conclude the campaign in third position, which would mark the club's best finish since the 2021–22 season.
Nevertheless, if Enzo Maresca's team only achieves around 65 points as projected, they will be frustrated to gather four fewer points than last season, particularly considering their Club World Cup success during the summer.
Champions League Qualification
Pos. | Team | Current Points | Expected Points | Champions League Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4. | Liverpool | 18 | 63.99 | 44.60 |
5. | Aston Villa | 21 | 62.12 | 34.05 |
6. | Crystal Palace | 20 | 61.07 | 30.14 |
7. | Brighton | 19 | 57.74 | 16.21 |
8. | Newcastle | 15 | 55.97 | 11.02 |
9. | Bournemouth | 19 | 54.95 | 8.57 |
10. | Man Utd | 18 | 54.68 | 8.03 |
Beyond the championship race, multiple clubs are competing to secure Champions League qualification. It appears probable that the top five Premier League teams will earn places in UEFA's elite club tournament.
Despite Liverpool's struggles throughout 2025–26, the Reds are still projected to participate in Champions League action next season. Opta predicts Arne Slot's team finishing fourth with approximately 64 points, the club's lowest total since 2015–16, when they placed eighth.
Any additional mistakes by the defending champions, however, could allow Aston Villa or Crystal Palace to surpass them in the table. Both clubs are forecast to finish just several points behind Liverpool currently, which could prove catastrophic for the Reds' Champions League ambitions.
Following are Brighton, Newcastle and Bournemouth. Despite all avoiding losses this weekend, they still face considerable challenges if they wish to penetrate Opta's top five. The more realistic scenario will probably see these three clubs compete for Europa League positions.
Completing the top 10 is Man Utd. The Red Devils currently share points with Liverpool and sit two positions above them in the table due to goal difference. Yet Opta still projects Ruben Amorim's side finishing six spots below the 20-time league winners, outside European qualification.
The positive news for Man Utd fans is that the club is expected to conclude the season with around 55 points, 13 more than they achieved in 2024–25.
However, as Sir Alex Ferguson recently stated, "At United you need to have success," and 10th place falls well short of that standard.