Liverpool learn Premier League fate as Man Utd receive brutal reality

Liverpool will win the Premier League title by two points, if the analysts have their predictions right. It's been a largely promising start to the new season for Arne Slot, as the Reds currently top the table after six games.

However, the current campaign hasn't been without its teething problems for the defending champions. The Anfield side relied on last-minute goals to seal the deal against Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Burnley, while their 2-1 win over rivals Everton was cagey to say the very least.

Liverpool hit their first stumbling block of the season after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park at the weekend, with Ismaila Sarr opening the scoring, Federico Chiesa equalising with three minutes left to play, and Eddie Nketiah stealing the show for the hosts seven minutes into stoppage time.

READ MORE: Arsenal ready to make Bukayo Saka one of top earners after new contract talks

READ MORE: Wayne Rooney makes plea to Man Utd owners and admits concern for his kids at the club

Regardless, the Reds still hold a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into game week seven of the Premier League, when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. According to the Opta Analyst, that's the way that the current season will wrap up next May.

That's because the experts have Liverpool to finish with 78.56 points this season, to Arsenal's 76.10. While Mikel Arteta has guided the Gunners to four wins from their opening six thus far, a loss to Liverpool and a 1-1 stalemate with Manchester City sees them trail the league leaders ever so slightly.

As per the analysts, City, Crystal Palace and Brighton will make up the rest of the top five come season's end, with 67, 63 and 58 points respectively. While Sir Jim Ratcliffe will hope that Ruben Amorim is able to turn the tide with Manchester United this term, the club's predicted outlook is far less positive.

That's because Opta pin the Red Devils at 14th when the current campaign reaches its conclusion. Amorim has suffered a turbulent start to his tenure with United, currently occupying the spot they are forecast to finish in as a result.

After suffering an embarrassing 15th-place finish last term, Amorim received the full backing of the United board and was afforded a full pre-season tour to fine-tune his team this time out. But it appears as though the £200million plus which has been spent on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko may have been better allocated elsewhere.

That's because United have managed just two wins from their opening six matches this term, also suffering defeat at the hands of Arsenal and rivals City. Meanwhile, 11 goals conceded this early on should also be a major red flag for Amorim, who is still yet to utilise summer signing Senne Lammens over Altay Bayindir in goal.

With an in-form Sunderland, Liverpool, Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham to play in their next five outings, things could get far worse before they start to improve at Old Trafford, and by that point, Amorim may no longer be at the helm considering the pressure he will currently be facing.

At the other end of the table, a newly-promoted trio of Sunderland, Leeds United and Burnley were favoured by many football fans and pundits to return to the Championship for 2026/27. However, Opta currently only see the Clarets facing relegation for those three sides after impressive starts for the Black Cats and the Peacocks.

While Burnley currently sit 18th in the league standings with one win, one draw and four losses to their name, Leeds have climbed all the way to 11th thanks to two wins, draws and losses apiece. Sunderland, meanwhile, have excelled after making the step-up and a summer of big spending, currently sat fifth in the Premier League thanks to three wins, two draws and a solitary loss.

As it stands, Opta have West Ham to finish 18th with 37.45 points after a dismal start to the season, Burnley to take 19th with 33.94 points, and Wolves to finish rock bottom with 33.75 - hardly surprising considering Vitor Pereira has already suffered five losses this term.

Here's how the Opta Analyst sees the Premier League finishing this year:

Position	Team	Expected points
1	Liverpool	78.56
2	Arsenal	76.10
3	Manchester City	67.90
4	Crystal Palace	63.25
5	Chelsea	58.10
6	Brighton and Hove Albion	56.09
7	AFC Bournemouth	55.49
8	Tottenham Hotspur	55.14
9	Newcastle United	55.10
10	Aston Villa	54.04
11	Everton	49.89
12	Brentford	48.41
13	Fulham	48.18
14	Manchester United	48.06
15	Nottingham Forest	42.88
16	Leeds United	41.48
17	Sunderland AFC	41.01
18	West Ham United	37.45
19	Burnley	33.94
20	Wolverhampton Wanderers	33.75

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.