Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
It is set to be another exciting race for the top five in the Premier League this season, with Chelsea likely to be involved.
Last term, Chelsea finished 10th, but they have really improved their squad since then. The Blues have brought in the likes of Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix to strengthen their attack and defence.
It was only a friendly, but Rogers was able to make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, scoring in his side’s 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Even so, Opta’s supercomputer has predicted that Chelsea will miss out on Champions League football once again.
Where will Chelsea finish in the Premier League in 2026/27?
Let's hear how you think Xabi Alonso will get on this season…
It has only given Xabi Alonso’s side a 30.3% chance of finishing in the top five. Aston Villa, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have all been given higher percentages.
Opta’s supercomputer, then, is predicting another season where Chelsea will finish outside of the top five.
The above is in contrast to predictions that some pundits have made about the Club World Cup holders.
For example, United legend Paul Scholes thinks Chelsea could finish as high as second, though he has suggested that they need to sign a new goalkeeper like Emiliano Martinez to do so.
Ian Wright has also tipped Chelsea to compete for the title. These are much kinder predictions than what Opta has given us Blues fans!
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Chelsea begin the Premier League campaign with a trip to Craven Cottage to take on west London rivals Fulham. After that, they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.
Fulham and Brighton are two good teams, so we should be able to learn a lot about Alonso’s Chelsea side when they face them. Of course, Fulham are a bit of a mystery themselves right now after bringing in Alvaro Arbeloa to replace Marco Silva, who left the club to join Benfica in June.