Supercomputer makes Champions League prediction - and it's good news for Arsenal

Arsenal have been tipped to get the better of Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final clash by a supercomputer.

The Gunners will welcome the reigning Bundesliga champions to the Emirates for the first leg of the two-legged tie, before making the trip to the Allianz later next month. The two teams have met on a number of occasions in the knockout rounds of the competition, with Bayern always getting the better of the north Londoners.

However, this is a different Arsenal from the ones they would face in the mid-2010s. Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, a man who played in some of those Bayern thrashings, the Gunners are a different beast and are currently vying for not only the Champions League but also the Premier League title.

According to Bettingexpert BETSiE's supercomputer, the Gunners will take a step closer to winning their first-ever Champions League trophy by beating Bayern in the next round. The supercomputer simulated the European campaign a whopping 100,000 times.

It took into account every result this season from every side left in the competition, predicting the rest of the Champions League while factoring in expected goals for and against, as well as expectations for each side before a ball had been kicked this season.

Ahead of the two meetings next month, BETSiE gives the Gunners the edge with a 51.51 per cent chance of progressing to the final four. While Bayern are far from a push-over, most sections of the Emirates faithful will just be delighted that they have avoided Manchester City or Real Madrid - for now.

If the supercomputer is correct and Arsenal do beat Bayern, the draw means that they will meet the winner of City's showdown with Real Madrid. The Gunners will not have it easy if they are to finally get their hands on the one trophy that has always eluded them.

Overall, Arsenal have been given a 14.11 per cent chance of going the distance and winning the entire competition. Both City and Real Madrid are viewed as more likely victors.

One advantage Arteta's men do have is the fact that though the first leg will be played at the Emirates, it will be played in front of solely Arsenal fans. This is because Bayern supporters are banned from attending the club's next European away game, after throwing fireworks on the pitch against Lazio, the second time they have done so in the last six months.

Arsenal are in fact permitted to grant their own fans access to the Emirates away end so that it is not left empty. Arteta will undoubtedly call on the club's fanbase to create as much of an atmosphere as possible to help get the better of Bayern in the first leg.