{"id":294351,"date":"2023-10-20T09:24:07","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T09:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=294351"},"modified":"2023-10-20T09:24:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T09:24:07","slug":"opta-supercomputer-predictions-as-the-premier-league-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/soccer\/opta-supercomputer-predictions-as-the-premier-league-returns\/","title":{"rendered":"Opta supercomputer predictions as the Premier League returns"},"content":{"rendered":"
Manchester City backed to return to winning ways, Liverpool overwhelming favourites in the Merseyside derby and Arsenal set for a tough test across town at Chelsea.<\/p>\n
Those are the predictions of Opta’s AI-powered supercomputer as the Premier League makes a welcome return this weekend after the internationals.<\/p>\n
It’s an appetising weekend in the English top-flight, with two cross-city derbies, the reigning champions under pressure to get a result and Manchester United also in must-not-lose territory.<\/p>\n
In Saturday lunchtime’s Merseyside derby at Anfield, Opta rate Liverpool as heavy favourites with a 67 per cent probability of them emerging with all three points, with Everton’s chances a lowly 12.2 per cent.<\/p>\n
It’s explained by Liverpool’s better league position but also the fact they’ve lost only one of their last 25 Premier League meetings against their neighbours.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mohamed Salah celebrates his goal for Liverpool against Everton in last season’s derby\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chelsea and Arsenal also go head-to-head as the Premier League returns this weekend<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
Despite this fixture being the most drawn game in English Football League history – with 69 of the previous 208 meetings finishing level – the chances of another here are rated at only 20.8 per cent.<\/p>\n
The Toffees at least come into the game with confidence boosted by a 3-0 win over Bournemouth last time out, while Liverpool were held to a draw at Brighton.<\/p>\n
The weekend’s other stand-out game comes at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night as Chelsea meet Arsenal.<\/p>\n
While Mauricio Pochettino’s side endured a shaky start before showing some promising signs in recent weeks, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have opened the season in very encouraging fashion.<\/p>\n
Last time out, they finally achieved a league win over Manchester City, a major confidence boost as they look to challenge for the title.<\/p>\n
Accordingly, the Opta computer struggled to split them, with Arsenal marginal favourites at 36.3 per cent to Chelsea’s 34.7 per cent. Unsurprisingly, the draw ranks highly at 29 per cent.<\/p>\n
City have lost three of their last four games, which ranks as a mini-crisis by their standards, but have the opportunity to put things right at home to Brighton on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Opta have them overwhelming favourites to win at 68.8 per cent despite some engaging encounters with Roberto De Zerbi’s team last season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Manchester City will be looking to respond against Brighton after losing two league games<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Erik ten Hag will hope Man United’s dramatic late turnaround against Brentford can supply some much-needed momentum as they head to Sheffield United<\/p>\n
SATURDAY<\/span><\/p>\n 3pm unless stated<\/span><\/p>\n Liverpool vs Everton (12.30pm)<\/p>\n Bournemouth vs Wolves<\/p>\n Brentford vs Burnley<\/p>\n Manchester City vs Brighton<\/p>\n Newcastle vs Crystal Palace<\/p>\n Nottingham Forest vs Luton<\/p>\n Chelsea vs Arsenal (5.30pm)<\/p>\n Sheffield United vs Man United (8pm)<\/p>\n SUNDAY<\/span><\/p>\n Aston Villa vs West Ham (4.30pm)<\/p>\n MONDAY<\/span><\/p>\n Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham (8pm)<\/p>\n Given City have won 10 of 12 Premier League meetings with the Seagulls, it helps to explain why Brighton are given a very low 11.1 per cent chance of leaving the Etihad with all three points, with the draw at 20.1 per cent.<\/p>\n Manchester United produced some trademark stoppage time heroics to beat Brentford in their last game, alleviating some of the pressure on Erik ten Hag after a wholly unconvincing start to the season.<\/p>\n They head to Sheffield United on Saturday evening and are strongly backed by these calculations with a 52.4 per cent victory ratings.<\/p>\n The Blades are really struggling, with just one point picked up from eight games so far, but are given a 20.5 per cent chance of capitalising on United’s myriad weaknesses, with the draw 27.1 per cent.<\/p>\n Tottenham are the early pace-setters and they round off the weekend by hosting Fulham in another all-London affair on Monday night.<\/p>\n Ange Postecoglou is certainly enjoying his first taste of management in England, with six wins and two draws from eight league outings to date.<\/p>\n Fulham have been middling so far, explaining the 51.8 per cent victory prediction for Spurs.<\/p>\n Elsewhere this weekend, Opta have Brentford as sizeable favourites to continue Burnley’s miserable return to the Premier League.<\/p>\n Bournemouth vs Wolves clearly proved hard to call, with the Cherries at 31 per cent, Wolves 39 per cent and the draw 30 per cent.<\/p>\n Newcastle United, despite the distraction of Sandro Tonali’s betting issues, are rated strong favourites to beat Crystal Palace. Likewise, Nottingham Forest at home to Luton.<\/p>\n In Sunday’s one and only match, Aston Villa are given a 42.2 per cent chance to win their battle of the claret and blues against West Ham (29.7 per cent).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Newcastle are ranked strong favourites to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Opta AI Supercomputer predictions in full as the Premier League returns this weekend<\/p>\n It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\nIT’S ALL KICKING OFF!\u00a0<\/h3>\n