Liverpool or Manchester United? AI predicts the 2025-26 Premier League champion
As the reigning English champions, Liverpool will officially kick off the 2025-26 Premier League season this Friday against Bournemouth. With anticipation building for the start of another campaign in one of the world’s most competitive leagues, World Soccer Talk turned to ChatGPT for projections on the final standings and the performance of major clubs like Manchester United and Manchester City.
According to the AI, the Premier League title will once again go to Liverpool. Just like last season, Arne Slot’s squad is predicted to outperform the rest of the league and lift the trophy for a second consecutive year. “Squad strength and signings like Florian Wirtz reinforce their case,” the prediction states.
The Reds are expected to finish the season with 73 points—11 fewer than they tallied in 2024-25—but that will still be enough to hold off their rivals. Arsenal, just like last year, are projected to finish second with 71 points. The Gunners are forecast to have a strong campaign but will once again miss the opportunity to claim a title they haven’t won since 2004.
The other top spots will go to Manchester City (69 points) and Chelsea (63 points). Those four clubs are set to qualify for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League, although the number of English berths could increase if any domestic club wins a European competition this season. Aston Villa (60 points) are expected to lock in a Europa League place.
How will Manchester United and Tottenham fare?
Much like last season, the outlook isn’t bright for some of England’s most storied clubs. ChatGPT predicts that Manchester United will once again deliver a disappointing performance, finishing 12th in the standings and missing out on European competition for the second straight year.
A similar fate is forecast for Tottenham Hotspur. Despite an impressive showing in the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, Thomas Frank’s side is not expected to stand out in Premier League play and is projected to finish 14th. However, they could still make an impact in international competitions.
Who will be the Premier League’s top scorer in 2025-26?
On the individual front, the league’s biggest stars are set to remain in the spotlight. The AI predicts Erling Haaland will be the top scorer in 2025-26 with 24 goals, followed by Mohamed Salah (18) and Alexander Isak (17)—assuming Isak remains in the league.
Who will be relegated to the Championship?
Finally, ChatGPT has also projected the three teams expected to drop out of the Premier League at the end of the season. Unsurprisingly, the three sides promoted this year from the Championship—Sunderland, Burnley, and Leeds United—are the ones predicted to be relegated.