Credit: Imago/Premier League on X

James Barker

Wed 27 May 2026 16:10, UK

West Ham United fell short of their predicted Premier League finish from the Opta supercomputer in 2025-26.

A massive summer awaits West Ham now, with many players, coaching staff and those at boardroom level needing to take a long look at themselves in the mirror.

This past campaign was littered with failings and missed opportunities that will haunt the Hammers until they return to the top flight, whenever that may be.

It remains to be seen whether Nuno Espirito Santo will lead the Irons into a second-tier campaign, or if change is coming to the London Stadium dug out for next season.

With just 10 West Ham wins in 2025-26, this group simply weren’t good enough to stay up, but that’s now how the supercomputer thought things would go for the Hammers.

Where Opta’s supercomputer predicted West Ham to finish

Many West Ham fans weren’t hopeful of a good 2025-26 season, with frustrations towards those in the boardroom and a summer transfer window that left a lot unconvinced.

Last season had its moments, with the 1-1 draw to Man City, 2-1 away win at Tottenham and the 4-0 home victory over Wolves respectively showing the potential this side had to deliver.

However, whilst plenty of Hammers supporters weren’t backing their team to avoid trouble in the Premier League this past term, Opta’s supercomputer was.

Back in mid-August, the supercomputer predicted that West Ham would end the 2025-26 season finishing in 16th place.

The Hammers were given an expected points tally of 44.06, finishing above Wolves in 17th, with the relegated sides tipped to have been Burnley (18th), Leeds (19th) and Sunderland (20th) respectively.

So, whilst it wasn’t a million miles away with the predicted points total, as Nuno’s side recorded five points fewer with 39, it ultimately placed too much faith in the team staying up.

January was the nail in West Ham’s Premier League coffin

As the inquest into why West Ham were relegated begins, there will be a number of watershed moments that could’ve made all the difference had a different outcome arose from them.

However, to come out of the January transfer window with what the Hammers did, well that always had the feeling of it being destined to come back to bite them.

Axel Disasi was solid but not a spectacular signing nor a significant enough upgrade in central defence, whilst Adama Traore played nine Premier League games for the Hammers and failed to register a single goal contribution.

Meanwhile, Pablo is a raw talent that clearly needs time to develop and learn his trade in English football, leaving Taty Castellanos as the only new addition last winter to really provide a sizeable spark and impact to the team.

Had the Hammers emerged from that window with more proven quality and players that were better positioned to make instant impacts, then Nuno’s side would’ve given themselves a significantly greater opportunity to match Opta’s predicted finish.