Race for Champions League takes new twist as supercomputer predicts who’ll land £16m pay-day with run-ins compared

A SUPERCOMPUTER has predicted who will qualify for the Champions League. Liverpool and Arsenal have already booked their spots in the next season’s competition but the other three places are up for grabs. ReutersNewcastle look set to qualify for the Champions League[/caption] GettyManchester City have a 95 per cent chance of making it[/caption] GettyNottingham Forest and Chelsea are set to battle for fifth[/caption] Strong performances in Europe from English sides this term have earned them a bonus place in the Champions League – with the top five going in instead of just four. We have just a few more weeks of the the season to go and a Sky Sports supercomputer has rated each club’s chances of qualifying. Newcastle lead the race on 62 points and have an 84 per cent chance of finishing in the top five. The Toon are in stunning form, having won seven of their last eight games in all competitions. But they have a tricky run-in with Brighton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton to play. For that reason, Manchester City are more likely to get into the Champions League as the number crunchers rate their chance at 95 per cent chance. They sit just one point behind Newcastle, but Pep Guardiola’s side are the favourites to win all their remaining games against Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham. Chelsea and Nottingham Forest look set to battle it out for fifth place after the latter’s shock 2-0 defeat to Brentford last night. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS @SkySportsPLThe run-in in the race for Champions League qualification[/caption] Aston Villa are in contention, but they have just 13 per cent hope. Enzo Maresca and Nuno Espirito Santo’s teams both have 60 points currently and it could all come down to a thrilling final day encounter as Forest head to Stamford Bridge. Despite Chelsea’s better goal difference, the supercomputer reckons Forest have the edge with 59 per cent chance compared to the Blues’ 49 per cent. Whoever misses out and finishes in sixth will have to settle for a spot in the Europa League. It is currently unclear if seventh will be a Europa or Conference League place as Crystal Palace have made the FA Cup final. If the Eagles beat City at Wembley, they will take one of the two Europa League spots from the Premier League table. And there could be six English clubs in next season’s Champions League as a Tottenham vs Manchester United Europa League final is likely after both secured leads in their semi-final first leg ties. Nottingham Forest are in danger of falling out the top fivePA

May 2, 2025 - 11:42
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Race for Champions League takes new twist as supercomputer predicts who’ll land £16m pay-day with run-ins compared

A SUPERCOMPUTER has predicted who will qualify for the Champions League.

Liverpool and Arsenal have already booked their spots in the next season’s competition but the other three places are up for grabs.

Newcastle United's William Osula celebrates scoring a goal.
Reuters
Newcastle look set to qualify for the Champions League[/caption]
Omar Marmoush of Manchester City celebrating a goal.
Getty
Manchester City have a 95 per cent chance of making it[/caption]
Jadon Sancho of Chelsea dribbling the ball during a Premier League match.
Getty
Nottingham Forest and Chelsea are set to battle for fifth[/caption]

Strong performances in Europe from English sides this term have earned them a bonus place in the Champions League – with the top five going in instead of just four.

We have just a few more weeks of the the season to go and a Sky Sports supercomputer has rated each club’s chances of qualifying.

Newcastle lead the race on 62 points and have an 84 per cent chance of finishing in the top five.

The Toon are in stunning form, having won seven of their last eight games in all competitions.

But they have a tricky run-in with Brighton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton to play.

For that reason, Manchester City are more likely to get into the Champions League as the number crunchers rate their chance at 95 per cent chance.

They sit just one point behind Newcastle, but Pep Guardiola’s side are the favourites to win all their remaining games against Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham.

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest look set to battle it out for fifth place after the latter’s shock 2-0 defeat to Brentford last night.

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Graphic showing remaining fixtures and top 5 chances for Champions League contenders.
@SkySportsPL
The run-in in the race for Champions League qualification[/caption]

Aston Villa are in contention, but they have just 13 per cent hope.

Enzo Maresca and Nuno Espirito Santo’s teams both have 60 points currently and it could all come down to a thrilling final day encounter as Forest head to Stamford Bridge.

Despite Chelsea’s better goal difference, the supercomputer reckons Forest have the edge with 59 per cent chance compared to the Blues’ 49 per cent.

Whoever misses out and finishes in sixth will have to settle for a spot in the Europa League.

It is currently unclear if seventh will be a Europa or Conference League place as Crystal Palace have made the FA Cup final.

If the Eagles beat City at Wembley, they will take one of the two Europa League spots from the Premier League table.

And there could be six English clubs in next season’s Champions League as a Tottenham vs Manchester United Europa League final is likely after both secured leads in their semi-final first leg ties.

Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest dejected on the pitch.
Nottingham Forest are in danger of falling out the top five
PA