Manchester United’s chances of finishing in the top four continue to decline, according to Opta’s AI supercomputer.
Erik ten Hag’s side have made their worst start to the season in 34 years after the shock 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Prior to the start of the season, Man United were given a 63.2 percent chance of qualifying for the Champions League again this season.
After defeats against Tottenham and Arsenal, their chances of finishing in the top four fell by 35 percent.
Opta’s updated figures following their defeat to the Eagles, they have managed just 3.7 percent of the top four spot.
Manchester United’s most likely final position is ninth according to Opta’s AI supercomputer
Man City are still overwhelming favorites to win the title despite their defeat to Wolves
Liverpool still have a 90.2 percent chance of returning to Europe’s most prestigious competition
Arsenal, along with Man City and Liverpool, are virtually assured of a place in the top four, according to Opta’s supercomputer
Perhaps even more painful for United fans, the analysis has concluded that ninth place is the most likely finish for the club in current form with a 17.7 percent chance, followed by eighth (17.4) and seventh ( 13.3).
They are given nine percent to finish sixth, 5.5 for fifth and they are more likely to finish 17th in the league than to win the title (0.1 compared to 0 percent).
While it isn’t great for Man United fans, a number of other clubs can take optimism from Opta’s analysis.
Man City are still overwhelming favorites to win the title, but their odds have fallen from 91.3 percent a month ago to 80.9 after their first defeat of the season to Wolves.
According to Opta’s analysis, Pep Guardiola’s team, together with Arsenal and Liverpool, also seem certain of a place in the top four after matchweek seven.
Man City has a 99.7 percent chance, Liverpool – despite their controversial defeat to Tottenham – is at 90.2 and Arsenal at 84.5.
Before the season started, Opta claimed that Tottenham had a measly 9.5 per chance of qualifying for the Champions League through the top four.
But after their good start under Ange Postecoglou, they now have a 46.5% chance of returning to Europe’s most prestigious competition.
According to Opta, Newcastle could fall out of the top four this season, with their analysis suggesting Liverpool and Tottenham will push the Magpies and Man United out of the top four.
Luton, along with Sheffield United and Burnley, are still among the teams most likely to be relegated, despite recording their first win of the season against Everton
Newcastle’s recent return to form makes them the fifth most likely to finish in the top four with 34.2 percent, 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 likely to finish in twelfth place, behind Crysytal Palace and Brentford. Although they will be hoping their 2-0 win over Fulham is the start of a run that will propel them up the standings.
Liverpool are second favorites to win the title at 10.7. with Arsenal at 7 and every other team below 1 percent.
The relegation battle is also heating up, with Everton, Luton, Bournemouth, Burnley and Sheffield United all enjoying high percentages.
Sheffield United look certain to go down with a relegation probability of 80.8, with the Blades taking just one point from seven games.
Luton, despite recording their first win against Everton, are next with 56 percent, followed by winless Burnley (54.3), Bournemouth (49.6) and
Burnley, which has one point in six, has a 54.3 percent chance of relegation, followed by Bournemouth (49.6) and Everton (39.4).
Wolves, meanwhile, were given just a 5.8 per cent chance of going down after their shock win over Man City.
