Supercomputer Forecasts Final Standings for Champions League League Phase

With the 2026/27 Champions League season imminent and the league phase matchups set, a supercomputer has projected how the initial stage might conclude. Paris Saint-Germain remain the top favorites, aiming for a third consecutive title, though they face tough challengers such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

The revamped league format, now in its third season since UEFA's changes, makes every result critical for teams' progression. Football Ranked’s analysts combined stats, fixture difficulty, and thousands of simulations to forecast the final league phase table.

Bottom of the Table (Ranks 36-28)

Sabah FK of Azerbaijan is predicted to finish last with just 2.9 points. Their first-ever Champions League campaign paired with the toughest schedule makes it a challenging debut. Slovan Bratislava follows with 3.7 points, never having reached knockouts before. Shakhtar Donetsk, playing home games at Chelsea, is expected to collect 4.9 points, below LASK (5.6) and Slavia Prague (5.7).

Viking FK, ranked 31st with 5.9 points, hopes to mimic last season's surprise knockout run by Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. They trail closely behind Feyenoord (6.9), AEK Athens (7.9), and Galatasaray (8.5), a team known for unpredictable performances.

• Rank 36: Sabah - 2.9 points
• Rank 35: Slovan Bratislava - 3.7 points
• Rank 34: Shakhtar Donetsk - 4.9 points
• Rank 33: LASK - 5.6 points
• Rank 32: Slavia Prague - 5.7 points
• Rank 31: Viking - 5.9 points
• Rank 30: Feyenoord - 6.9 points
• Rank 29: AEK Athens - 7.9 points
• Rank 28: Galatasaray - 8.5 points

Mid-Lower Table (Ranks 27-19)

Villarreal (9 points), Club Brugge (9.3), and Real Betis (9.6) are predicted to fall short of automatic knockout qualification, with Real Betis narrowly edged out due to goal difference behind 24th-place Lille. The same 9.6 points separate Lille and RC Lens, hinting at a tense finish for both.

Bodo/Glimt, RB Leipzig, and Fenerbahce are expected to have more comfortable runs into the playoffs. Despite reaching last season’s semi-finals, Atletico Madrid is predicted 19th with 10.9 points, suggesting a tougher path this time.

• Rank 27: Villarreal - 9.0 points
• Rank 26: Club Brugge - 9.3 points
• Rank 25: Real Betis - 9.6 points
• Rank 24: Lille - 9.6 points
• Rank 23: RC Lens - 9.6 points
• Rank 22: Bodo/Glimt - 10.0 points
• Rank 21: RB Leipzig - 10.6 points
• Rank 20: Fenerbahce - 10.8 points
• Rank 19: Atletico Madrid - 10.9 points

Mid-Table (Ranks 18-10)

Como, on 11 points, stands out for their rapid rise under former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Despite this inspiring story, rivals Porto and PSV aim to surpass them.

Sporting CP is expected to reach 11.7 points, just shy of Serie A sides Roma (12) and Napoli (12.5), who feature stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund. Borussia Dortmund, after recent upheavals, lands 12th with 13.2 points. VfB Stuttgart narrowly misses the top 10 despite an easier fixture list, while Aston Villa sit 10th with 14 points, a respectable spot considering their rough Premier League start.

• Rank 18: Como - 11.0 points
• Rank 17: Porto - 11.0 points
• Rank 16: PSV - 11.3 points
• Rank 15: Sporting CP - 11.7 points
• Rank 14: Roma - 12.0 points
• Rank 13: Napoli - 12.5 points
• Rank 12: Borussia Dortmund - 13.2 points
• Rank 11: VfB Stuttgart - 13.3 points
• Rank 10: Aston Villa - 14.0 points

Top Table (Ranks 9-1)

Manchester United returns to the Champions League but is expected to finish ninth, requiring an extra playoff round. Manager Michael Carrick faces a busy campaign. Barcelona and Liverpool place higher, securing spots inside the top eight.

Inter Milan sits sixth, signaling a strong bid for the trophy after near misses in recent finals. Real Madrid improves to fifth under Jose Mourinho, hopeful for better outcomes than last season. Manchester City leads among English clubs with 16.9 points, indicating Pep Guardiola’s continued success.

Paris Saint-Germain ranks third with 17.1 points, just behind league leaders Bayern Munich who top the table with 18.9 points. Arsenal, last season's group winners and finalists, are second with 17.7 points.

• Rank 9: Manchester United - 14.1 points
• Rank 8: Barcelona - 14.8 points
• Rank 7: Liverpool - 15.4 points
• Rank 6: Inter Milan - 16.2 points
• Rank 5: Real Madrid - 16.5 points
• Rank 4: Manchester City - 16.9 points
• Rank 3: Paris Saint-Germain - 17.1 points
• Rank 2: Arsenal - 17.7 points
• Rank 1: Bayern Munich - 18.9 points