So we’re two months into the season, around a quarter of the games done and there’s a long way to go. But already there are teams which have the eye of the tiger and are geared up for glory.
The Premier League is already shaping up to be a three-way battle while in Spain and Italy the former kings of La Liga and Scudetto, Barcelona and Juventus, seem ready to step aside. Former Barca talisman Lionel Messi has already settled in at Paris Saint-Germain, while in Germany FC Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski looks as lethal as ever.
With the international break upon us, it’s a good time to take a look at SBOTOP’s pick of the likely winners of each of the big five leagues, and also a glance at the biggest threat to each of the likely champions.
Premier League
Front-runners: Manchester City
The Sky Blues looked a class apart in their Manchester Derby victory last Saturday and are clear favourites to win the league for the fourth time in five seasons. They won the derby at a canter and could easily have scored more than their two first-half goals, if they had played with a striker. Pep Guardiola appears to be relaxed about the absence of a world-class Number 9 though he may go back for Spurs’ Harry Kane in the January window.
In the meantime they sit handily in second place, behind leaders Chelsea and with plenty in the tank.
Biggest threat: Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel’s European Champions quite rightly think they have a good chance to win the title; after all they are in pole position at the moment. The Blues are playing some sensational football and, after Liverpool’s loss to West Ham, they seem the most likely to challenge; but they struggled to break down Burnley in a 1-1 draw last Saturday.
La Liga:
Front Runners: Real Madrid
Though Real Sociedad currently lead the Spanish league, they did so at this stage last season and they lack the depth of some of their rivals. Los Blancos are primed and ready to pounce, a single point behind and with a game in hand.
The latest La Liga 2021 betting odds have Carlo Ancelotti’s side as clear favourites and when you look at the way they have ground out results without being at their best you can see why. Three 2-1 victories, over Barcelona, Elche and Rayo Vallecano were interrupted by a goalless draw with Osasuna. Apart from El Clasico, none of those are eye-catching results but they yielded ten points form four games and that is title form. Striker Karim Benzema remains the most potent striker in Spain.
Biggest threat: Atletico Madrid
Los Rojiblancos seemingly had three points wrapped up in their last game away to Valencia, 3-1 up going into injury time, but Los Che striker Hugo Duro struck twice to deny Atleti two vital points. It’s been an underwhelming start to the campaign but even so, Atleti are well in touch and are likely to improve.
I was tempted to pick out Sevilla as the biggest threat to Real Madrid’s crown; they are level on points with Los Blancos and just one worse off in terms of goal difference. But one place back in fourth, Atletico Madrid have lost just once this season and they have real star quality with the likes of Luis Suarez, Joao Felix and Koke in their ranks.
Serie A:
Front Runners: Inter Milan
It looks like being another great season in Serie A but with Juventus struggling it could well be the two Milan clubs fighting it out with Napoli and Atalanta. Inter have the edge over their rivals, though Milan have started the quicker and are joint leaders alongside Napoli. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the derby on Sunday, but Inter have the experience and quality to shine through by the end of the campaign. Nicolo Barella is the highest assist maker in the league with five, and the 24-year-old Italy star has just signed a four-year contract to keep him at the club until 2026.
Biggest threat: Napoli
Gli Azzurri’s Serie A 2021 results have been a little short of sensational and they currently lead with 32 points from ten games. I think it’s a toss-up between Milan and Napoli for second place but with stars like Lorenzo Insigne, Victor Osimhen, Piotr Zielinski and Hirving Lozano in their ranks…I’m backing the Naples side.
Bundesliga:
Front Runners: FC Bayern
Last weekend Die Bayern met SC Freiburg, the only undefeated side in the league, and they promptly beat them 2-1. They aren’t always fast starters but the Bavarians have a four-point lead at the top, and with Robert Lewandowski scoring his 13th league goal of the season the signs look ominous.
Biggest threat: Borussia Dortmund
Despite losing 2-1 to Red Bull Leipzig at the weekend BVB remain in second place and are the most likely to challenge Die Bayern. With Erling Braut Haaland and Jude Bellingham in their ranks it is too early to write Dortmund off.
Ligue 1:
Front Runners: Paris Saint-Germain
The arrival of Lionel Messi in Paris has lifted PSG to another level and with 13 games gone they are already 10 points clear at the top. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is determined to win back the title they lost last year and also have another tilt at the Champions League.
Biggest threat: Olympique Marseilles
Jorge Sampaoli’s OLM are currently fourth, but the ten times Ligue 1 winners are a good bet for second place. Striker Cengiz Under, on loan from Roma and midfielder Matteo Guendouzi on loan from Arsenal have both added class to les Olimpiens.
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