Manchester City are tipped to clinch a fifth consecutive Premier League title in the 2024-25 season, according to predictions from a supercomputer - but a positive start to the Arne Slot era is on the cards.
Last season saw Pep Guardiola's side narrowly secure the title, with Liverpool and Arsenal hot on their heels. The Reds were leading the pack in early April but faltered towards the end, while the Gunners remained in contention for the top spot until the final round of matches.
The summer has brought about significant changes, with several clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea appointing new managers - Slot and Enzo Maresca respectively - in a bid to enhance their performances.
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In the previous season, all three promoted teams were relegated back to the Championship. However, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton are being tipped for a better fate. According to Grosvenor Sport's supercomputer, two of these teams will narrowly escape relegation.
The supercomputer, essentially a probability model, simulates each Premier League match 1,000 times to predict the outcome. These results, based on factors such as team strength, betting markets and an element of randomness, generate a final table.
At this stage, Manchester City have been given a whopping 90 percent chance of winning the title However, it acknowledges that predictions may vary as teams sign new players and other variables come into play.
Arsenal, who finished just two points behind last season, are considered the second favorites. The final table sees City clinching top spot with 94 points, three more than their previous season. Arsenal are hot on their heels in second place, albeit with three points less than their last campaign, creating an eight-point gap.
Liverpool secure third place, edging out Manchester United despite Erik ten Hag's side winning the league in more simulations than Arne Slot's men.
At the bottom of the table, the supercomputer predicts a tough season for Ipswich Town, placing them in the last spot. Despite finishing second in the Championship last season and retaining manager Kieran McKenna amidst rumors of interest from Chelsea, the Tractor Boys are expected to struggle.
The other two relegation spots are occupied by teams who were part of the Premier League last season. Wolves are predicted to finish 19th with 29 points - 11 more than Ipswich - while Nottingham Forest are tipped for 18th spot.
Forest's projected tally of 32 points is just two less than the 34 predicted for Leicester, who now have Forest's ex-manager Steve Cooper at the helm. Just one point above the Foxes are Southampton and Brighton, who the supercomputer believes will falter following the departure of manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The upcoming season could potentially be Pep Guardiola's swansong at the Etihad Stadium. The Catalan is among the contenders to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager, with rumors suggesting an interim candidate might take over the national team until the end of the domestic season.
Under Guardiola's leadership, Manchester City have been a dominant force in the Premier League, averaging 89.75 points per season over the past four years and clinching the title each time. According to Grosvenor Sport's supercomputer predictions, City are set to continue their impressive run, potentially raising their average above 90 points with another top finish this season.
Premier League 2024-25 table (according to supercomputer)
1) Manchester City - 94 points
2) Arsenal - 86
3) Liverpool - 80
4) Manchester United - 71
5) Chelsea - 67
6) Aston Villa - 65
7) Tottenham - 63
8) West Ham - 57
9) Newcastle - 57
10) Brentford - 57
11) Crystal Palace - 47
12) Bournemouth - 46
13) Everton - 42
14) Fulham - 42
15) Brighton - 35
16) Southampton - 35
17) Leicester - 34
18) Nottingham Forest - 32
19) Wolves - 29
20) Ipswich - 18
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