The stage is set for Liverpool to take complete control of the English Premier League title race after Arsenal and Chelsea dropped points outside their stadium on Saturday.
The league leaders Reds welcomed a Manchester United side reeling from four successive defeats to Anfield on Sunday afternoon, knowing a win would see them extend their lead at the top to eight points with a game in hand.
Former United captain Roy Keane expected a knock before kick-off, but the tough Irishman was quick to praise the level of quality shown by the Red Devils once Michael Oliver brought home a goal. The Premier League match is breathless until its end.
Liverpool eventually escaped with a point thanks to Harry Maguire's miss in the final, giving hope to their title-chasing rivals. The Reds are still in a tough spot, but they are not quitting just yet.
Here's how Opta supercomputer Displays the final table of the English Premier League to follow the weekend's events.
|
position |
a team |
Expected points |
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Liverpool |
87.24 |
|
2. |
Arsenal |
78.14 |
|
3. |
Man City |
69.53 |
|
4. |
Chelsea |
68.77 |
|
5. |
Newcastle |
63.10 |
|
6. |
Nottingham Forest |
60.79 |
|
7. |
Aston Villa |
57.82 |
|
8. |
Bournemouth |
56.98 |
|
9. |
Fulham |
53.39 |
|
10. |
Brighton |
52.65 |
|
11. |
Tottenham |
52.02 |
|
12. |
Man United |
50.58 |
|
13. |
Brentford |
48.72 |
|
14. |
West Ham |
46.12 |
|
15. |
Crystal Palace |
45.06 |
|
16. |
Everton |
38.17 |
|
17. |
Wolves |
34.39 |
|
18. |
Ipswich |
31.36 |
|
19. |
Leicester |
29.94 |
|
20 |
Southampton |
19.00 |
Opta don't think Liverpool will continue at their current pace, but they don't expect much change either. Liverpool will secure 92 points on their current trajectory, but the supercomputer expects the Reds to lift second place Premier League Title with a total of 87.
However, Opta holds out little hope of a competitive race to the top. Liverpool's closest rivals are either flawed or hampered by key injuries. as a result of, Arsenalwho have a 10.23% chance of winning the league, are expected to finish second by just ten points. Manchester City, who showed signs either side of New Year's Day that they had rediscovered stability and serenity after a long period of malaise held them back from title contention, are now expected to finish third.
City's expected points tally of 69.53 would be the lowest of the Pep Guardiola era. However, they are backed to finish earlier Chelseawhose struggles over the festive period appear to have trickled down to 2025. The Blues are more likely to be battling their rivals for fourth place than competing for the top flight, but Opta suggests they will boast a healthy encounter from fifth-placed Newcastle. When all is said and done.
Nottingham Forest's impressive season may be winding down somewhat, but a European berth for the 2025/26 season is not beyond their reach. Their expected points tally of 60.79 points would be their best ever return in the Premier League.
Opta is not optimistic about either Tottenham or Manchester United reviving their season, with the latter set to endure the least productive season of the Premier League era. Tottenham are also on course for their lowest points tally since the 2008/09 season, a season saved by Harry Redknapp after starting the campaign bottom of the table under Juande Ramos.
The supercomputer only predicts wolves and maybe Everton They would be drawn into a relegation battle with Ipswich, but the three newly promoted clubs would eventually return to the Championship. Southampton's expected tally of 19 points would be the fifth-worst return in Premier League history.
Wolves are set to escape relegation by three points, with Kieran McKenna's Tractor Boys dropping to the Championship on a predicted 31.36 points.
