Premier League supercomputer paints worrying picture for Man Utd with three-team title race

Liverpool have been tipped to retain their Premier League title by Opta's supercomputer with their algorithm giving the Reds a 28.5 per cent chance of going back-to-back for the first time.

Arne Slot's side won the title relatively unchallenged last term and those on Merseyside and now hoping to claim successive Premier League crowns for the first time ever. Arsenal are backed to be their closest challengers.

Unfortunately for the Gunners though they've been backed to finish second for a fourth season on the trot. Their likelihood of winning the title has been ranked at 24.3 per cent. In keeping with last season's table, Manchester City have been tipped to finish third.

Pep Guardiola's side have invested in a bid to return back to the summit of English football, but the Catalan will go two years without a title for the first time in England if Opta is to be believed. They have an 18.8 per cent chance of success.

Manchester United are hoping for a resurgence after a pre-season under Ruben Amorim and more than £200million of new signings, which includes Benjamin Sesko. However the Opta algorithm believes it will be another mid-table season for the Red Devils with 12th their predicted finish.

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At the other end of the table the concerning Premier League trend may continue. Opta's stats believe that Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley will all go straight back down with the Black Cats propping up the table. It would be the third year in successive all the promoted teams go back down.

Wolves are the side tipped to struggle the most, but they will occupy the 17th spot so many teams covet. In fact their likelihood of relegation is just 7.3 per cent. Which is minimal when compared to Burnley (16.6), Leeds (17.8) and Sunderland (34.1).

Chelsea are the team tipped to round out the top four. However the Blues hopes of becoming champions has been largely dismissed, given just an 8.4 per cent chance of finishing top which represents a major drop from the top three.

Their London rivals Tottenham are eyeing a major rebuild under Thomas Frank but few strides are made on last season's difficult year. They remain behind the Red Devils with Opta handing them a finishing position of 14th - which is below Frank's former sider Brentford.

Despite the wholesale changes and the loss of one of their best players the Bees are tipped to finish in tenth, which represents an impressive year given the loss of talent they have had to deal with.

Nottingham Forest were the Premier League's surprise package but Opta has not backed them to replicate those lofty heights. European football could place more strain on their resources with a bottom half finish predicted.

Crystal Palace are likely to be buoyed by the supercomputer's take on their season with the Eagles sat in seventh. That would likely mean European football once again as Oliver Glasner continues to take the club forward, albeit that may be dependent on them keeping their best players.

Aston Villa and Newcastle remain part of the European picture, but there is a change to the order. Unai Emery's side nab fifth place, which could mean a return to the Champions League. The Magpies meanwhile drop to sixth which would be a blow.

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