This time last year, I predicted the results of the English Premier League 2023-24, and I did the impossible. I was 100% right … if you only look at the top three. My top 10 predictions were overall passable, but my bottom 10 was downright appalling. So I figured, why not lean into it and do what I’m good at: look at the top four of the best soccer leagues around Europe.
In the English Premier League, it’s clear Manchester City will pull off the five-peat. In fact, they may be turning what was once the best league in the world into a farmer’s league, as Erling Haaland is simply a machine that can’t be stopped inside the six yard box. Haaland has managed to bag seven goals in his first three matches with no signs of slowing down. In second place will be Liverpool. A lot of people assumed Arne Slot would have a difficult transition given how long Jurgen Klopp held the job, however with players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Mo Salah consistently proving their worth, the second spot is a cinch.
After a second-place finish last season, Arsenal will clutch the third spot with solid performances from Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. In fourth place will be Chelsea. Simply put, Enzo Maresca is an accomplished manager. If they don’t manage top four with their double decker bus of players, and the skills of Cole Palmer, that’s just an embarrassment.
Next, looking towards La Liga. It’s simple: Real Madrid is building a team that’s unfair for anyone in their path. Yes, Mbappe is having a slow start, but when he gets going, he is the best player in the world and will have no trouble shutting down the haters. With players like Vinicius and Bellingham behind him, the top spot in the La Liga is barely a battle. This isn’t to say Barcelona is going to go down without a fight. With four goals and one assist in four games, Robert Lewandowski is starting off the season strong at the ripe age of 36 New signing Dani Olmo and youngster Lamine Yamal are on fire, coming off their historic Euros victory, and they will help the team secure second place.
Atletico Madrid was disappointed to fall behind Girona last year, but they have clearly shown their desire to be back to battling the giants with big spending on Julian Alvarez, Alexander Sorloth, Robin Le Mornand and Conor Gallagher. They will easily win “the best of the rest” competition to secure third place. The fourth and final Champions League qualification spot might be even tighter than the top spot, with Athletic Club, Real Sociedad and Girona all fighting to claim it. But with Girona losing Savinho and Artem Dovbyk, and Athletic Club managing to hold on to Basque native Nico Williams, they are the clear front-runners for the position.
Over in Germany, things are interesting for the first time in years. Xabi Alonso’s historic unbeaten run to the title disrupted Bayern’s 11-year win streak. They will hope to do it again to keep Harry Kane trophyless, but it won’t be easy. Bayern’s addition of Michael Olise and Joao Palhinha are big signings that will play a role in the league outcome. Olise and Palhinha were two of the most criminally underrated players in the Premier League. However, the manager question is more interesting. Vincent Kompany hasn’t shown conviction in his job, whereas Xabi Alonso is coming off maybe the most impressive year a coach can have.
But don’t count out the third horse in this race, Dortmund’s Nuri Sahin. Following a historic appearance in the Champions League final, Dortmund have quietly had one of the best transfer windows in all of Europe, bringing in Maxmimilan Beier and Serhou Guirassy, two of the Bundesliga’s most slept on players for a combined total of $40 million. Now that’s business. Even as a fan of a Premier League team, my attention will be turned to the Bundesliga for a tight three-way title fight, with my money on Bayern for the top spot, followed by Leverkusen and then Dortmund. Whoever is in fourth will be at least 10 points behind the top three, but I have my money on VfB Stuttgart.
Now over to Italy. Serie A has maybe been the hottest leagues with different winners in the past three years due in part to the league’s volatility and competition. Napoli, the winner two seasons ago, will be hoping to rebound after falling to ninth place last season. But they won’t make it back to the top four.
My Serie A winner is Inter Milan. As long as they have Lautaro Martinez, they will be my favorite. Lautaro is a machine, and with no other major departures, Inter Milan are the clear favorites. In second I will go for Juventus. They have struggled to rebound since their nine-title run ended in 2021. But big money signings like Teun Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz and Khephrem Thuram and a Coppa Italia all point to a return to the podium. In third place I will go for the dark horse, Atalanta. Their season flew under the radar with a Coppa Italia final and not to mention their Europa league victory in a dramatic final with Leverkusen, thanks to a strong performance by Ballon D’or nominee, Ademola Lookman.
In France, things are simple. Even without Mbappe, PSG are title favorites by a long shot. The hospital’s favorite patient, Ousmane Dembele, might have a solid season if he doesn’t blow his limbs again. Bradley Barcola, who has four goals in three games, and Joao Neves are working to fill the shoes of Mbappe, and will help carry PSG into first. Marseille will slot into second. Roberto De Zerbi is an extremely undervalued coach, and has shown his tactics and business with Brighton. My pick for the third spot is AS Monaco, despite the loss of Wissam Ben Yedder. The rest of the team has chemistry and skills despite the absence of major stars. In the fourth spot I see Lens. Coming from Reims, new manager Will Still has Ligue 1 experience, and the team has enough strength to get to the top 4, including a deep run in the Conference League.
While my predictions offer a glimpse into what will be offered by the best footballers in Europe, this game is known for nothing if not its unpredictability. While my eyes will be on even more teams this year, that just means more surprises, drama and embarrassing predictions.
