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.

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