2025-26 European Soccer Season: Predictions, Surprises, and Bold Takes

Get the latest predictions for the 2025-26 European soccer season, including Premier League title race, Golden Boot contenders, and bold takes from ESPN's writers.

Premier League Predictions

The 2025-26 European soccer season is here, and the Premier League is set to kick off with Liverpool vs. Bournemouth on Friday. LaLiga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and Serie A will also begin play this weekend and the following week. Here are the predictions from ESPN's writers:

Champions

  • Liverpool: The clear favorites to retain their crown.
  • Arsenal: A strong contender with a solid squad.
  • Manchester City: Always in the mix with their attacking prowess.

Top 4

  • Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea: These teams are expected to dominate the top four spots.

Relegation

  • Burnley, Sunderland, Leeds: These teams are likely to struggle and face relegation.

Golden Boot Contenders

  • Erling Haaland: The most prolific striker in Europe, expected to lead the scoring charts.
  • Alexander Isak: If he stays at Liverpool, he could be a top scorer.
  • Mohamed Salah: Always a threat with his fitness and penalty-taking ability.

European Soccer Predictions

Champions League

  • Arsenal, Barcelona, PSG, Real Madrid: These teams are expected to make deep runs in the Champions League.

LaLiga

  • Real Madrid, Barcelona: The traditional powerhouses are expected to dominate.

Bundesliga

  • Bayern Munich: The perennial favorites in Germany.

Serie A

  • Juventus, Napoli, Inter Milan: These teams are expected to compete for the title.

Bold Predictions

  • Borussia Dortmund will give Bayern Munich a major scare in the Bundesliga race.
  • Leeds United will buck the trend of teams promoted to the Premier League going straight back down.
  • Evan Ferguson will finish as the top scorer in Serie A.

Transfer Window Regrets

  • Manchester United: Bad priorities and overspending could haunt them.
  • Newcastle: Missed out on key targets and may struggle in the Champions League.

Wrexham's Promotion Chances

  • No: The Championship is a tough league, and Wrexham may need more time to reach the Premier League.

Most Entertaining Teams

  • Barcelona, Marseille, Manchester United, Napoli: These teams are expected to provide the most entertainment this season.

Managerial Hot Seat

  • Scott Parker (Burnley): Likely to be the first manager sacked due to a struggling squad.

Conclusion

The 2025-26 European soccer season promises to be full of excitement, surprises, and intense competition. Stay tuned for all the action and drama as the season unfolds.

What to Read Next

Arsenal's Defensive Pillar William Saliba Vows to Reach World-Class Heights with New Five-Year Commitment
Football

Arsenal's Defensive Pillar William Saliba Vows to Reach World-Class Heights with New Five-Year Commitment

Arsenal defender William Saliba outlines his ambition to develop into an elite global defender under Mikel Arteta's guidance after signing a five-year extension. Analysis explores how retaining the French international strengthens the Gunners' title credentials and tactical identity.

Jose Mourinho's Stamford Bridge Return: A Clash of Loyalty and Legacy in Champions League Showdown
Football

Jose Mourinho's Stamford Bridge Return: A Clash of Loyalty and Legacy in Champions League Showdown

Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge with Benfica, balancing emotional ties to Chelsea's golden era with tactical ambitions in a high-stakes Champions League encounter.

Graham Potter's Premier League Plight: From Tactical Prodigy to Managerial Misfire
Football

Graham Potter's Premier League Plight: From Tactical Prodigy to Managerial Misfire

An in-depth analysis of Graham Potter's dramatic career decline from England managerial candidate to back-to-back Premier League sackings at Chelsea and West Ham.

Newcastle United's Set-Piece Revolution: Can Martin Mark Unlock Their Aerial Threat in the Premier League?
Football

Newcastle United's Set-Piece Revolution: Can Martin Mark Unlock Their Aerial Threat in the Premier League?

Newcastle United's towering squad seeks to reignite their set-piece dominance under coach Martin Mark. Can their aerial prowess translate into goals this season?

Marco Silva Blasts VAR Controversy as Fulham Denied Crucial Decisions in Aston Villa Defeat
Football

Marco Silva Blasts VAR Controversy as Fulham Denied Crucial Decisions in Aston Villa Defeat

Fulham manager Marco Silva launches scathing criticism of VAR decisions following his side's 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, labeling key penalty denials as 'impossible to understand' in fiery post-match analysis.

Crystal Palace Stuns Liverpool with Last-Minute Winner: A New Era Under Glasner
Football

Crystal Palace Stuns Liverpool with Last-Minute Winner: A New Era Under Glasner

Crystal Palace's dramatic 97th-minute victory over Liverpool marks a turning point under Oliver Glasner's leadership, exposing Liverpool's defensive flaws.

Manchester City's Winning Culture: How Pep Guardiola's Tactics Revived Their Form
Football

Manchester City's Winning Culture: How Pep Guardiola's Tactics Revived Their Form

Explore how Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, turned their season around with strategic plays and Erling Haaland's stellar performance.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer Sidelined for Three Weeks Due to Groin Injury
Football

Chelsea's Cole Palmer Sidelined for Three Weeks Due to Groin Injury

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer is set to miss up to three weeks of action as he manages a persistent groin injury, impacting the team's upcoming crucial matches.

Why Erling Haaland is the Ultimate FPL Triple Captain Choice This Week
Football

Why Erling Haaland is the Ultimate FPL Triple Captain Choice This Week

Discover why Erling Haaland is the top pick for FPL managers considering the triple captain chip this gameweek. Explore his form, fixture, and potential impact.

Liverpool's Aggressive Campaign Against Ticket Touting: A Deep Dive
Football

Liverpool's Aggressive Campaign Against Ticket Touting: A Deep Dive

Explore Liverpool's rigorous measures against ticket touting, including account shutdowns and lifetime bans, ensuring fair access for genuine fans.

Analyzing Martin's Tactical Struggles at Rangers: What Went Wrong?
Football

Analyzing Martin's Tactical Struggles at Rangers: What Went Wrong?

Explore the reasons behind Martin's tactical failures at Rangers, including key issues in midfield and defensive strategies.

Unai Emery's Strategic Leadership at Aston Villa Amidst New Era Challenges
Football

Unai Emery's Strategic Leadership at Aston Villa Amidst New Era Challenges

Explore how Unai Emery's leadership remains pivotal as Aston Villa navigates through a transformative period, including strategic shifts and challenges in the Premier League.

Rio Ngumoha's Heroic Debut Steals the Show in Premier League Clash
Football

Rio Ngumoha's Heroic Debut Steals the Show in Premier League Clash

16-year-old Rio Ngumoha's stunning debut goal for Liverpool against Newcastle United overshadowed the pre-match focus on Alexander Isak, marking a historic moment in Premier League history.

The Striker Carousel: Analyzing Premier League Transfers and Their Impact
Football

The Striker Carousel: Analyzing Premier League Transfers and Their Impact

An in-depth analysis of the striker transfers in the Premier League this summer, exploring how Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Newcastle have reshaped their squads.

Can Gio Reyna Revive His Career at Borussia Mönchengladbach?
Football

Can Gio Reyna Revive His Career at Borussia Mönchengladbach?

Gio Reyna's move to Borussia Mönchengladbach could be the fresh start he needs to revive his career and secure a spot in the USMNT for the 2026 World Cup.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.