Champions League 2026/27: Predicted Final League Phase Table

With the 2026/27 Champions League season approaching and group opponents set, a supercomputer has projected the outcome of the initial league phase. Paris Saint-Germain are once again favored to win, aiming for a third consecutive European title. Their main challengers include Premier League champions Arsenal, as well as Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

This revamped league format, now in its third year since UEFA’s changes before 2024/25, places high importance on every match result, affecting teams’ paths in the competition. The difficulty of each club’s fixtures varies greatly, with data analysts from Football Ranked running thousands of simulations to produce a predicted final table considering stats and opponent strength.

Bottom of the Table: Tough Debuts and Struggles

Sabah FK from Azerbaijan, making their Champions League debut, are expected to finish last, facing the hardest lineup among all teams. Below them, Slovan Bratislava is predicted to earn just 3.7 points, while Shakhtar Donetsk, playing home games at Chelsea’s stadium, ranks third-bottom with 4.9 points.

Clubs like LASK (5.6 points) and Slavia Prague (5.7 points) also face challenging campaigns, hovering near the bottom. Viking FK from Norway are forecasted in 31st place with 5.9 points, hoping to mirror fellow Norwegian Bodo/Glimt’s recent surprise run to the knockouts. They trail slightly behind Feyenoord and AEK Athens.

Supercomputer Predicted Rankings (36-28)

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

Galatasaray remain tough to predict due to their unpredictable performances; capable of dominant wins or heavy defeats in quick succession.

Mid-Lower Table Clubs (27-19)

Villarreal, Club Brugge, and Real Betis hover just outside the automatic knockout spots, expected to enter additional playoff rounds. Real Betis might miss out narrowly on goal difference compared to 24th-ranked Lille. Similarly, RC Lens shares the same points tally, setting up a tense final group stage fixture against Slavia Prague.

Clubs like Bodo/Glimt, RB Leipzig, and Fenerbahce are predicted to have smoother runs into the playoffs. Atletico Madrid, semifinalists last year under Diego Simeone, are expected to struggle this time, placed 19th.

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

Middle of the Pack (18-10)

Como stand out with an inspiring ascent under Cesc Fabregas, expected to gather 11 points. Other contenders like Porto and PSV are close behind. Sporting CP sits just below Serie A sides Roma and Napoli, who feature stars such as Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund.

Borussia Dortmund are placed 12th, still recovering after personnel changes following their 2024 final appearance. VfB Stuttgart narrowly miss the top 10 despite having the easiest fixture list, while Europa League holders Aston Villa are predicted 10th, which might be satisfying after a rough start to their domestic season.

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

Top Teams (9-1)

Manchester United, returning to Europe’s elite competition, are predicted to finish 9th, just outside direct knockout qualification, meaning they face an extra playoff round. Manager Michael Carrick may face a demanding schedule this season.

Barcelona and Liverpool secure spots inside the top eight. Inter Milan, ranked 6th, look ready to challenge for the trophy again after two recent final appearances but falling short against Manchester City in 2023 and Paris Saint-Germain in 2025.

Real Madrid improve significantly to 5th place under new coach Jose Mourinho, hoping for better success than last season's 9th place. Manchester City continue to impress with an expected 16.9 points, maintaining the dominance of the Pep Guardiola era.

In third place, Paris Saint-Germain are projected to earn 17.1 points, just behind league leaders Bayern Munich at 18.9. Arsenal, last season’s leaders and finalists, come in second with 17.7 points, looking up to Bayern as they aim to convert domestic success into European glory.

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

Supercomputer Forecasts Final Standings for Champions League League Phase