LIVERPOOL’S win over Manchester City on Sunday evening saw Arsenal open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta’s men have dropped just three points so far this season, winning nine of their 10 matches including a 1-0 victory over Leeds at the weekend.
Yet despite their superb start to the campaign, a supercomputer from those at OLGB still make defending champions Man City the overwhelming favourites to retain their crown.
They are 1/4 to finish top of the Premier League come the end of the season, with Arsenal 6/1 – a much-reduced price from a couple of months ago.
The supercomputer has also predicted Tottenham and Manchester United to miss out on the top four.
Antonio Conte’s Spurs currently sit third, just four points behind Arsenal.
United are three points off third place Chelsea following their goalless draw with Newcastle at the weekend.
Yet the data has come to the conclusion that Liverpool will still recover from a slow start to finish third, with Graham Potter’s Blues claiming the final Champions League spot.
Newcastle, Brighton, West Ham and Crystal Palace are all also being backed for a top half finish.
But at the other end of the table four-point , Nottingham Forest seem to be doomed as they are just 2/7 to be relegated.
It is predicted Steve Cooper’s men, who currently sit bottom with just five points, will finish 20th in their first season back in the top flight since 1999.
According to the supercomputer, joining them in the Championship next season will be Bournemouth and Leicester – both of which are somewhat surprising.
The Cherries have been in fine form since the sacking of Scott Parker, with caretaker boss Gary O’Neil inspiring a six-match unbeaten run.
But they are still 10/11 to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
And Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes are tipped to be the third and final casualty come May.
Leicester have won just one of their opening 10 games, sitting above Forest only by virtue of goal difference.
And they are 7/4 to go down in what would be the club’s first relegation since they went down to League One in 2008.
Among the sides predicted to narrowly avoid the drop include Southampton, Wolves, Fulham and Everton.
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