Manchester United’s chances of a top-four finish continue to plummet according to Opta’s AI supercomputer.
Erik ten Hag‘s side have made their worst start to a season in 34 years following their shock 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Prior to the campaign beginning, Man United were given a 63.2 per Cent chance of qualifying for the Champions League again this season.
Following defeats to Tottenham and Arsenal, their prospect of a top-four finish dropped by 35 per cent.
Opta’s updated numbers after their defeat to the Eagles give them just a 3.7 per cent of finishing inside the top four.
Manchester United’s most likely finishing position is ninth according to Opta’s AI supercomputer
Man City are still overwhelming favourites to win the title despite their defeat to Wolves
Liverpool still have a 90.2 per cent chance of returning to Europe’s most prestigious competition
Arsenal, along with Man City and Liverpool, are almost guaranteed a top-four finish according to Opta’s supercomputer
Perhaps even more painful for United fans is that the analysis has concluded ninth is the most likely finish for the club on current form with a 17.7 per cent chance, followed by eighth (17.4) and seventh (13.3).
They have been given a nine per cent of finishing sixth, 5.5 at fifth and they have more chance of finishing 17th in the league than winning the title (0.1 compared to 0 per cent).
While it doesn’t make pretty reading for Man United fans, a number of other clubs can take optimism from Opta’s analysis.
Man City are still overwhelming favourites to win the title, but their chances have dropped from 91.3 per cent chance a month ago to 80.9 after their first defeat of the season to Wolves.
Pep Guardiola’s side, along with Arsenal and Liverpool, also look certain for a top-four finish according to Opta’s analysis after gameweek seven.
Man City have a 99.7 per cent chance, Liverpool – despite their controversial defeat to Tottenham – are on 90.2 and Arsenal on 84.5.
Before the season began, Opta claimed Tottenham had a measly 9.5 per chance of qualifying for the Champions League via the top-four.
But after their bright start to life under Ange Postecoglou, they now have a 46.5 per cent likelihood of returning to Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Newcastle could drop out of the top-four this season according to Opta’s latest predictions
Luton, along with Sheffield United and Burnley, are still among the most likely teams to get relegated despite picking up their first win of the season against Everton
Newcastle’s recent return to form sees them have the fifth most likely chance of a top-four finish at 34.2 per cent, followed by Aston Villa (20.2), Brighton (13.3), West Ham (6.7), Man United (3.7), Crystal Palace (0.7) and Chelsea (0.2).
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues are down to most likely finish in 12th place, behind Crystal Palace and Brentford – though they will hope their 2-0 win over Fulham is the start of a run which will propel them up the standings.
Liverpool are second favourites to win the title at 10.7. with Arsenal on 7 and every other team below 1 per cent.
The fight for relegation is also heating up with Everton, Luton, Bournemouth, Burnley and Sheffield United all given high percentages.
Sheffield United look certain to go down with an 80.8 per likelihood of relegation after taking just one point from seven games.
Luton, despite picking up their first win against Everton, are next up at 56 per cent, followed by winless Burnley (54.3), Bournemouth (49.6) and
Burnley, who have one point in six, have a 54.3 per cent chance of relegation, followed by Bournemouth (49.6) and Everton (39.4).
Wolves meanwhile were given just a 5.8 per cent likelihood of going down after their shock win over Man City.
