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Supercomputer Predicts Champions League Winner After Decisive Semifinal Second Legs

The quest for Champions League glory is only still alive for two teams.
Arsenal and PSG will battle for the Champions League title.
Arsenal and PSG will battle for the Champions League title. | Alex Pantling/UEFA/Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar/S. Mellar/FC Bayern/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Mattia Ozbot/UEFA/Getty Images

Defending cup holders Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League leaders Arsenal punched their tickets to the 2026 Champions League final, but only one will leave Budapest with the European crown.

The Gunners came into the second leg of their semifinal tie with Atlético Madrid hoping to make their first Champions League final since 2006. A goal from Bukayo Saka was the difference-maker at the Emirates Stadium, propelling Arsenal to a 1–0 victory on the night to eliminate Los Colchoneros 2–1 on aggregate.

Then, 24 hours later, PSG locked horns with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The clash lacked the frenetic goalscoring of the first leg, but Luis Enrique’s men showed their class and poise, securing a 1–1 draw away from home to advance to their second consecutive Champions League final 6–5 on aggregate.

Now that the stage is set for Europe’s showpiece event, here’s how the Opta supercomputer rates each finalist’s chance of claiming Champions League glory.


Supercomputer Predicts 2025–26 Champions League Winner

Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka sent Arsenal to their first Champions League final in 20 years. | Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

Team

Chance of Winning

Arsenal

55.76%

PSG

44.24%

Opta is seemingly unmoved by PSG’s European pedigree and lethal attack; it backs Arsenal to win their maiden Champions League title come May 30.

The supercomputer gives Mikel Arteta’s side a 55.76% chance of coming out on top in Budapest. Should the Gunners indeed upend the Parisians in a few weeks, they will have put together an unbeaten run in Europe’s premier club competition.

Say what you will about their dull style of play, set-piece reliance or lack of flair up top, but Arsenal’s defense is second to none—and Opta clearly has faith in the backline led by Gabriel and William Saliba to carry the north London club to a historic prize.

Ousmane Dembélé, João Neves
Paris Saint-Germain have their sights set on Champions League history. | Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

After scoring a record 44 goals in the Champions League this season, PSG will undoubtedly be the public’s favorite to get past what many deem an underwhelming Arsenal side. Yet Opta has them ending their incredible run with a runners-up finish.

The defending cup holders are given a 44.24% chance of successfully retaining the European crown, a feat only previously accomplished by Real Madrid in the Champions League era. History and the supercomputer’s odds are not in PSG’s favor, but Enrique’s team won’t care.

After all, they were largely written off last season after bidding farewell to Kylian Mbappé and then mustering a poor league phase campaign—yet went on to hoist a first-ever Champions League trophy. PSG once again found themselves forced to compete in the knockout phase playoffs in 2025–26, but they are back in the final, looking to etch their names in the competition’s history books.


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Amanda Langell
AMANDA LANGELL

Amanda Langell is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer and editor. Born and raised in New York City, her first loves were the Yankees, the Rangers and Broadway before Real Madrid took over her life. Had it not been for her brother’s obsession with Cristiano Ronaldo, she would have never lived through so many magical Champions League nights 3,600 miles away from the Bernabéu. When she’s not consumed by Spanish and European soccer, she’s traveling, reading or losing her voice at a concert.

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