AI supercomputer predicts the UCL 's most-likely winners

  /  autty

The chance of an English team winning this season's UEFA Champions League is just over 38%, according to Opta's AI supercomputer.

Ahead of Friday's draw for the round of 16 and beyond, the supercomputer simulated the remainder of the tournament 10,000 times before Opta published its findings.

Liverpool are said to be the most likely winners. The Reds have a 20.2 per cent chance of lifting the trophy.

Arsenal are the second favourites to go all the way with a 16.8% chance of ending the season as European champions Meanwhile, the Gunners have a 79% probability of reaching the quarter-finals - with the supercomputer naming them the least likely side to lose in the round of 16, where Mikel Arteta's men will face PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord.

Aston Villa won the European Cup in 1982 but they have only a 1.2% chance of repeating that feat this season.

England only has three teams left in this season's Champions League after Manchester City exited in the playoff round by losing 6-3 to Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappe scored four goals against City as Madrid looked like the Real deal over two legs. However, Opta only rates Madrid as fifth favourites right now.

Carlo Ancelotti's men are given a 10.5% shot of adding to their tally of 15 titles this season, with Barcelona (12.7%) and Inter Milan (12.4%) rated as slightly more realistic contenders.

Paris Saint-Germain (8.8%) are apparently the sixth most likely team to conquer Europe this season, while Feyenoord (0.6%) have the slimmest chance.

Interestingly, Bayer Leverkusen (4.6%) are seen as stronger contenders than German rivals Bayern Munich (4.2%).

Once drawn, the round of 16 matches will take place over two legs between March 4 and 12.

The quarter-final first legs will then be held on April 8 and 9, with the return matches being played the following week.

This season's semi-finals will start in the final week of April and conclude on May 6 and 7.

Munich will host the final at Bayern's Allianz Arena on May 31.

Related: Arsenal Liverpool Aston Villa Bayern Munich Bayer Leverkusen Real Madrid Barcelona Arteta Ancelotti Inter Milan Inter Milan
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