The statistical portal Football Meets Data has assessed the chances of the clubs participating in the main stage of the Champions League to reach the playoffs. For this purpose, 10,000 simulations of the main round of the tournament were conducted.
According to the portal, Shakhtar Donetsk is one of the main outsiders of the main round: only Crvena Zvezda and Slovan Bratislava are rated lower.
The probability of Shakhtar finishing in the top-8 and reaching the 1/8 finals directly is estimated at 2%. The Pitmen's chances of finishing 9th through 24th, which gives them a ticket to the additional round of the playoffs, are estimated at 25%.
It is also expected that 15 points will be enough to get into the top-8, while 9 points will be enough for a place in the top-24.
