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

Emiliano Martínez's Future in Doubt: Manchester United's Goalkeeper Dilemma
Football

Emiliano Martínez's Future in Doubt: Manchester United's Goalkeeper Dilemma

Explore the latest transfer rumors surrounding Emiliano Martínez and Manchester United, including potential moves and key player updates in the Premier League.

Tottenham's January Transfer Strategy: Eyeing Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers Amidst Key Rumors
Football

Tottenham's January Transfer Strategy: Eyeing Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers Amidst Key Rumors

Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly targeting Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers in the January transfer window, amidst other key football rumors and updates.

Daniel Levy's Departure from Tottenham: A New Era Begins After 25 Years
Football

Daniel Levy's Departure from Tottenham: A New Era Begins After 25 Years

Explore the legacy and impact of Daniel Levy's 25-year tenure as Tottenham chairman, his contributions to the club's modernization, and the challenges ahead.

Top 50 Most Expensive Transfers of 2025 Summer Window: True Cost Analysis
Football

Top 50 Most Expensive Transfers of 2025 Summer Window: True Cost Analysis

An in-depth analysis of the 50 most expensive football transfers of the 2025 summer window, ranked by their true cost relative to club revenue.

Manchester United's Transfer Strategy: Can Amorim Navigate the Midfield Crisis?
Football

Manchester United's Transfer Strategy: Can Amorim Navigate the Midfield Crisis?

Manchester United's summer transfer window focused on an attack overhaul, but ignoring the midfield could spell trouble for Ruben Amorim's success.

Premier League's Record-Breaking Transfer Window: A Deep Dive into Financial Strategies
Football

Premier League's Record-Breaking Transfer Window: A Deep Dive into Financial Strategies

Explore the Premier League's record-breaking transfer window, analyzing net spend, financial strategies, and the future of football economics.

Manchester United's Strategic Moves: Carlos Baleba Deal and Transfer Market Insights
Football

Manchester United's Strategic Moves: Carlos Baleba Deal and Transfer Market Insights

Explore Manchester United's pursuit of Carlos Baleba and the latest football transfer rumors, including potential moves and strategic insights in the Premier League.

2025 Summer Transfer Window: Record-Breaking Deals and Last-Minute Drama
Football

2025 Summer Transfer Window: Record-Breaking Deals and Last-Minute Drama

A comprehensive recap of the 2025 summer transfer window, highlighting record-breaking deals, last-minute collapses, and major moves across Europe's top football leagues.

2025 Summer Transfer Window: Winners, Losers, and Key Moves in European Football
Football

2025 Summer Transfer Window: Winners, Losers, and Key Moves in European Football

A comprehensive analysis of the 2025 summer transfer window, highlighting the top winners, losers, and key moves in European football.

Premier League Drama Unfolds: Liverpool Edges Arsenal, VAR Controversy, and Real Madrid's Dominance
Football

Premier League Drama Unfolds: Liverpool Edges Arsenal, VAR Controversy, and Real Madrid's Dominance

A thrilling weekend in European football saw Liverpool narrowly defeat Arsenal, VAR controversies, and Real Madrid's continued dominance in LaLiga.

Premier League Attacking Signings: A Comprehensive Performance Review of Sesko, Pedro, Gyökeres, and More
Football

Premier League Attacking Signings: A Comprehensive Performance Review of Sesko, Pedro, Gyökeres, and More

An in-depth analysis of the latest Premier League attacking signings, including Sesko, Pedro, and Gyökeres, and their impact on their respective clubs.

Dominik Szoboszlai's Stunning Free Kick Seals Liverpool's Victory Over Arsenal in Premier League Showdown
Football

Dominik Szoboszlai's Stunning Free Kick Seals Liverpool's Victory Over Arsenal in Premier League Showdown

Dominik Szoboszlai's incredible 30-yard free kick secured a 1-0 win for Liverpool against Arsenal, maintaining their perfect start to the 2025-26 Premier League season.

VAR Controversies in Premier League: Fulham's Disallowed Goal and Manchester United's Late Penalty
Football

VAR Controversies in Premier League: Fulham's Disallowed Goal and Manchester United's Late Penalty

Explore the latest VAR controversies in the Premier League, including Fulham's disallowed goal and Manchester United's late penalty.

Transfer Deadline Drama: Key Moves and Rumors Shaping the Football Landscape
Football

Transfer Deadline Drama: Key Moves and Rumors Shaping the Football Landscape

Explore the latest football transfer news and rumors as the deadline approaches, featuring key moves across Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A.

Thrilling Premier League Showdowns: Brighton vs Man City & Liverpool vs Arsenal Lead European Football Weekend
Football

Thrilling Premier League Showdowns: Brighton vs Man City & Liverpool vs Arsenal Lead European Football Weekend

Catch the latest updates from the Premier League as Brighton face Man City and Liverpool clash with Arsenal in a pivotal weekend of European football.

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.