Supercomputer, however, named last season’s runners-up, Arsenal, and holders PSG as the 2nd and 3rd main contenders respectively.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Polymarket Supercomputer has named La Liga giants Barcelona as the strong favourites to win the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League (UCL).
The prediction follows the completion of the league-phase draw on Thursday evening at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, France.
The first league-phase matches will be played on Tuesday, 8 September and the final round of games will take place on 27 January 2027, with the exact schedule set to be released on Saturday.
European champions Paris Saint-Germain are expected to face Premier League duo Manchester City and Aston Villa, as well as five-time winners Barcelona, in the league phase.
Premier League champions Arsenal, meanwhile, will host 15-time winners Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, and have also been handed a trip to Bayern Munich.
ALSO READ: NFF boss Ibrahim Gusau, scribe, board members bow out amid mass exit
Enzo Maresca’s City will welcome PSG to the Etihad Stadium and travel to Barcelona, while Europa League winners Villa, who return to the competition after a season away, will host PSG and Dortmund and travel to Barcelona and Galatasaray.
Manchester United, who are also returning after a two-year hiatus, will meet Bayern and Atlético Madrid, while Liverpool welcome Atlético and Porto in their key fixtures.
Predicting the favourites to lift the trophy this season following the draw, the Supercomputer gave Barcelona a 17% chance of winning the title, ahead of last season’s finalists Arsenal (16%).
Bayern Munich were awarded a 14% probability of becoming European champions again, matching the 14% chance given to current holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid, who are now coached by José Mourinho, were given a 13% probability of lifting the trophy.
