In 2019-20 Manchester City will win the Premier League title for a third successive year – that’s according to “The Script” published by BT Sport.
The broadcaster commissioned experts from Google, Opta and Squawka to number-crunch big data and predict what will happen in the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League during the upcoming season.
Using cutting-edge “machine learning” artificial intelligence and statistical analysis, BT Sport’s “audacious project” looks at the fortunes of all 20 Premier League clubs and those playing in Europe.
Here we pick out ten things from BT Sport’s The Script analysis ahead of the new campaign.
The Script: Premier League predictions
1. There’s no stopping City
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side will be celebrating another title win next May. Analysis from The Script predicts that City will finish top of the Premier League with 94 points, beating Liverpool to the title by six. City’s third win in a row will equal English football’s all-time record for consecutive titles.
2. Toon heading for relegation
Newly-promoted Sheffield United are predicted to finish bottom of the Premier League table with 32 points from 38 matches. They will be joined in the drop zone by Norwich City and Newcastle United.
3. Another golden boot for Salah
In 2019-20 Liverpool star striker Mohamed Salah will be among the goals again – with 29 of them in the Premier League, according to The Script. The “Egyptian king” is tipped to equal the record for consecutive EPL golden boot wins (three). Tottenham’s Harry Kane will finish second with 24 goals.
4. Christmas joy for Chelsea
Frank Lampard will enjoy a superb first half to his first season as Chelsea manager. The Blues will be top of the Premier League at Christmas but go on a seven-match winless streak from gameweek 22 to 28. Chelsea are predicted to finish fourth in the table.
5. EPL derby days
In the Manchester derbies City are predicted to record a double over United. Man City will win 3-1 at the Etihad and 2-1 away at Old Trafford. In north London expect it to be a close affair between Arsenal and Tottenham as both games end in a draw – 2-2 at the Emirates and 1-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s a similar prediction on Merseyside with Liverpool and Everton playing out 1-1 draws at Anfield and at Goodison in 2019-20.
The Script: European football predictions
6. Holders out in last eight
England’s four clubs in the Uefa Champions League this season will be Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham. Holders Liverpool will be knocked out of the UCL by Barcelona, 2-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. The Script’s analysis also says that both Manchester City and Chelsea will be eliminated by Real Madrid. City will lose 7-5 on aggregate to Real in the round of 16 and Chelsea will lose 4-2 on aggregate in the quarters. After reaching the final last season, Tottenham won’t make it out of the group stage this year. However, they will drop into the Europa League…
7. Real triumph in Champions League
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane loves winning the Champions League – and he’s predicted to triumph for a fourth time as coach of the Spanish club. The Script says that Zidane’s Real team will beat Bayern Munich 3-2 in the 2020 final at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. In their run to the final Real will beat Man City in the round of 16, Chelsea in the quarters and Barcelona in the semi-finals.
8. EPL clubs reach Europa League knockouts
Arsenal lost to Chelsea in the Europa League final last season and the Gunners will again be playing Thursday night football in 2019-20. They will be joined in the Europa League by Manchester United and Wolves. All three are predicted to reach the last 32 of the competition.
9. Big games in the round of 16
Arsenal, Manchester United and Wolves will then be joined in the Europa League knockout stages by Tottenham, who drop down into the tournament from the Champions League. It’s the end of the road though for Arsenal and Wolves in the round of 16 as they lose to Premier League rivals. Arsenal will lose 3-2 on aggregate to Manchester United and Wolves will be beaten 6-2 over two legs by Spurs.
10. Spurs to beat United in Europa final
It will be an all-English Europa League final for the second successive season. After beating Wolves in the round of 16 Tottenham will progress past Napoli and RB Leipzig to reach the final in Gdańsk, Poland. There they will play Manchester United, who after beating Arsenal, were victors over Porto and Sevilla. In the 2020 Europa League final Tottenham are predicted to win 1-0 against United to lift the trophy.
Football on BT Sport
Watch The Script unfold on BT Sport in 2019-20. BT Sport will show 52 Premier League live this season and every game in the Champions League and Europa League.
