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.