Latest news with #OptaPowerRankings
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
PIF partners with Fifa for 2025 Club World Cup
A week before the inaugural Fifa Club World Cup begins, Saudi Arbia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed on as an official partner of the month-long tournament that takes place at stadiums across the United States. PIF, the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, makes this move partially in preparation for Saudi Arabia's role as host of the 2034 World Cup. "PIF is creating a legacy of transformative impact in sports including through its partnerships, delivering positive and lasting results at every level, from players and fans to host communities," PIF head of corporate brand Mohammed Al-Sayyad said in a statement. "PIF is at the forefront of growing football around the world following our CONCACAF partnership announced last year and our continued investment in football. We are unlocking opportunities to drive the growth of the sport around the world." The Fifa Club World Cup features some of the most prominent clubs from leagues all over the world. The competition begins Saturday, June 14, with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami (MLS) hosting Egyptian club Al Ahly FC, which has won three recent CAF Champions League titles. According to the Opta Power Rankings, the top five clubs in the tournament are Paris Saint-Germain (France), Manchester City (England), Bayern Munich (Germany), Inter Milan (Italy) and Real Madrid (Spain). Group play begins Saturday and carries through June 26. The knockout rounds begin June 28 with the championship match slated for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The groups are as follows: Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly FC, Inter Miami. Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders. Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica. Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Los Angeles FC. Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, CF Monterrey, Internazionale. Group F: Fluminense FC, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns. Group G: Manchester City, Wydad AC, Al Ain FC, Juventus.
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Tunku Ismail slams rivals for whining over JDT's dominance
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has lashed out at critics of the club's dominance, saying the mentality of Malaysian football is regressing due to envy and a refusal to improve. In a fiery statement, the Regent of Johor made it clear that JDT's mission has never been about simply taking part, but to raise the bar in all aspects of the game. "It's never about participating. It has always been about dominating and levelling up from the very beginning," he said. Tunku Ismail questioned the effectiveness of the constant criticism and negativity directed at JDT over the years. "One question — with all the nonsense that has been written and campaigned over the years, what change or difference have they achieved? Zero! While we have grown, improved, and levelled up every year," he said. He also hit out at teams and individuals who complain about JDT's superiority in the domestic scene, accusing them of dragging the M-League down instead of rising to the challenge. "It's a joke that some of our 'competitors' often whine and complain about not being able to compete with us, instigate that teams should withdraw and that the league is dying. "We don't see this mentality in other leagues where there is a dominant team miles ahead of the rest. It's embarrassing, and our neighbours Thailand and Indonesia can clearly see the mentality in Malaysia — which is just quit if you can't compete. "We should be pushing our teams to improve, step up, be more professional and compete within," he said. While the statement does not name anyone specifically, it could be seen as a response to recent remarks by Kuala Lumpur FA (KLFA) president Syed Yazid Syed Omar, who said the league risks becoming "boring" if no team challenges JDT. "We can't just let JDT keep winning. If not, the league will become boring," said Syed Yazid in an interview with a local television station. Syed Yazid added that most teams today were only aiming for second or third place, and urged his own side, KL City, to take the fight directly to JDT. However, Tunku Ismail believes it is precisely this kind of attitude — waiting for others to slow down instead of speeding up — that is holding Malaysian football back. Despite having a smaller budget than many of Asia's heavyweights, he pointed out that JDT continue to punch above their weight on the continental stage. "JDT would never be able to compete in Asia if we had that same mentality, as our budget is significantly lower than many teams, including in East Asia, but we still managed to finish third among 12 teams this season," said Tunku Mahkota Ismail. He urged Malaysian fans to take pride in JDT's achievements, especially after being recognised among the best clubs in Asia. "Malaysian fans should be proud that JDT are representing Malaysia and have a good standing in Asian football. The Opta Power Rankings rank us at No.10 in Asia today," he said. Tunku Ismail ended his statement with a stinging observation on the current football landscape in the country.
Express Tribune
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Who will win the Champions League 2025? Opta supercomputer has its say
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-finals begin on 29 April, with Arsenal taking on PSG. It will be followed up by Barcelona vs Inter Milan on 30 April, with both ties set to be replayed for the 2nd leg next week. Arsenal have emerged as favourites to lift the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League trophy, according to the latest projections from the Opta supercomputer, following their quarter-final victory over Real Madrid. The Gunners, who have played a record 199 matches in the competition without winning the title, now have a 31.3% chance of claiming their first European crown. Arsenal's semi-final opponents, Paris Saint-Germain, are next on the list with a 22.0% likelihood of winning, while Barcelona are given a 27.4% chance. Barcelona will face Inter Milan in the other semi-final tie. Inter are the underdogs among the final four, with a 19.2% chance of lifting the trophy. The Opta model predicts that Inter have just a 42.5% probability of advancing past Barcelona over two legs. The semi-finalists — Arsenal, PSG, Barcelona, and Inter — progressed through a quarter-final field that also included Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Aston Villa, and Borussia Dortmund. Earlier in the tournament, sides such as Liverpool, Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Benfica were eliminated in the round of 16. Notable early exits included Manchester City, Juventus, and AC Milan, who failed to progress beyond the group stages. Opta's supercomputer simulates the tournament 10,000 times using betting market odds combined with historical and recent team performance data, alongside Opta Power Rankings, to estimate match outcomes and overall projections. With the final four now set, anticipation builds as Arsenal look to finally secure their first Champions League triumph, while Barcelona, PSG and Inter seek to upset the current odds.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Opta predictions make Arsenal favourites to win Champions League
The Opta supercomputer has made Arsenal favourites to win the Champions Gunners have been given a 56% chance of making it through their semi-final against Paris St-Germain and 32% of winning a potential final against Barcelona or Inter model estimates the probability of each match outcome by using betting market odds and the Opta Power Rankings, previously made Arsenal slight favourites to reach the semi-finals, external over Real Madrid - which was not universally agreed with by fans on this page.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Opta give Villa near one-in-three chance of Champions League semis
The Opta supercomputer has produced new predictions for the remainder of the Champions League before the quarter-final stage gets under way on model estimates the probability of each match outcome by using betting market odds and the Opta Power Rankings, heading into the last 16, Liverpool were eliminated by Paris St-Germain, with Barcelona now leading the way - emerging victorious in 23.9% of computer has given Aston Villa a 28.7% chance of progressing past PSG and reaching the semi-finals, and just a 3.7% chance of winning the competition - the second-lowest of the eight teams remaining above Borussia Dortmund's 1.5%.Villa's semi-final opponents, however, win the Champions League for the first time in their history in 19.3% of simulations - the second-highest behind clinched a fourth straight Ligue 1 title on Saturday and remain unbeaten domestically.
