A Supercomputer has updated its prediction for the final 2026-27 Premier League table following the opening stages of the new season.
Reigning champions Arsenal picked up where they left off last season, winning all four of their opening fixtures against Coventry City, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland, before suffering a shock 3-0 defeat to Brighton.
Many were tipping Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea to challenge at the top of the table this season with no European football to contend with, but defeat away at Arsenal and Brentford, plus a home draw with Hull, suggests the Blues may not be quite ready just yet.
Man City are the only team to get five wins from five. However, the club’s future is firmly up in the air after being found guilty of breaking 115 Premier League rules. They remain in the title race for now… but it’s currently unclear where they’ll be come the end of the season.
Amid the enormous controversy that threatens to cast a shadow over this season’s Premier League campaign, Opta’s Supercomputer has updated its predicted final 2026-27 table – and it makes for fascinating reading. Let’s take a closer look.
Relegation Zone
Coventry City, who won the Championship title last season, had the toughest possible start to the season: Arsenal away. All things considered, a 3-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium wasn’t a disaster. The Sky Blues then lost to Hull City, Manchester City and Brighton, but a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest was a huge boost for Frank Lampard’s side.
Despite that victory, they are still tipped to come last, just behind Fulham, who earned encouraging draws against Liverpool and Manchester United before the international break.
It’s equally bad news for Tottenham (rock bottom of the real table) after their 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa. The Supercomputer believes this is the season Spurs are relegated to the Championship following narrow escapes in each of the previous two years.
Just outside the bottom three are Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town on 43 points, while Sunderland are tipped to finish 15th.
It’s interesting that every team in the bottom section of the predicted table has an expected points return of 40 points or higher – which is often seen as the benchmark for securing Premier League survival – with the exception of Coventry. If correct, the 2026-27 Premier League campaign will be the most competitive we’ve ever seen.
Position | Club | Points |
|---|---|---|
15. | Sunderland | 44 |
16. | Ipswich Town | 43 |
17. | Crystal Palace | 43 |
18. | Tottenham | 43 |
19. | Fulham | 40 |
20. | Coventry City | 39 |
Bottom Half
Promoted Hull City are currently eighth in the real Premier League table after taking eight points from their first five fixtures. The Tigers suffered their first defeat of the season away at Newcastle and are expected to eventually drop to 13th, which would still be a hugely impressive achievement for the promoted club.
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are also predicted to finish in the bottom half of the table after inconsistent starts to the campaign. Forest fans will be particularly concerned after losing at home to Coventry. Bournemouth are also projected to finish in that group following a shaky start to life under Marco Rose.
Position | Club | Points |
|---|---|---|
11. | Aston Villa | 51 |
12. | Bournemouth | 46 |
13. | Hull City | 45 |
14. | Nottingham Forest | 45 |
Top Half
Leeds United battled to draws against Brentford and Brighton before thumping Newcastle 4-1. Daniel Farke will be satisfied with his team’s start as they are tipped to finish 10th.
Newcastle have looked okay under Matthias Jaissle, whose side are expected to finish the season in 9th place, which would be a solid achievement following such a turbulent summer at St James’ Park.
Unbeaten Everton have enjoyed a decent enough start to the new season, and are expected to finish mid-table following a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich.
Many pundits and fans alike have tipped Manchester United to finish inside the top four again this season, but the Supercomputer has the Red Devils down in seventh place following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Fulham. However, PFA Player of the Year Bruno Fernandes – who scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Ipswich – will do his best to drag the English giants to another top-four finish.
Brentford have already beaten Spurs and Chelsea at home this term and can expect to take more big scalps as the season goes on. They are on course to finish sixth.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are expected to finish fifth despite three games without a win. The Blues’ front three of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have the potential to become the most formidable forward line in the league, but they missed the Brazilian against Brentford, suffering a 3-0 loss.
Position | Club | Points |
|---|---|---|
5. | Chelsea | 54 |
6. | Brentford | 54 |
7. | Manchester United | 53 |
8. | Everton | 53 |
9. | Newcastle United | 53 |
10. | Leeds United | 52 |
Top Four
Brighton are currently tipped to finish fourth after their sensational 3-0 win over champions Arsenal, which came days after they knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup. The Seagulls are well and truly flying.
Liverpool are third in the predicted table after a disappointing home draw with Fulham was followed by an impressive win away at Bournemouth. There’s plenty of work for Andoni Iraola to do at Anfield this season, but having Alexander Isak, who has four goals in five games, in form will certainly help.
Under-fire Manchester City boast a 100% winning record without Pep Guardiola in the Premier League. The Citizens looked bright under Enzo Maresca prior to the international break, with Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki flying, although the guilty verdict threatens to detail their season.
Every away ground is expected to become incredibly hostile towards the eight-time Premier League champions, who will need to adopt a siege mentality in order to finish as high up the table as possible. Opta’s Supercomputer currently believes City will push Arsenal right to the wire, although that prediction could completely change depending on the result of the appeal.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal remain the Supercomputer’s favourites to lift the Premier League trophy, although their predicted points tally has been slashed following their defeat to Brighton. They are now tipped to finish the campaign just one point above Erling Haaland and co.
Position | Club | Points |
|---|---|---|
1. | Arsenal | 76 |
2. | Manchester City | 75 |
3. | Liverpool | 62 |
4. | Brighton | 60 |
Data is correct as of 09/10/2026.
