I Predicted the Women's European Leagues (Pt. 1)
Part I — The Big Five
After spending three parts predicting the tables across European men's football, it felt only right to do the same thing on the other side of the sport.
Women's football in Europe is changing rapidly.
Leagues are expanding. Clubs are investing more heavily. Professional structures are becoming more established. The UEFA Women's Champions League is becoming increasingly competitive, and the gap between the biggest clubs and everyone else is no longer quite as simple as it once appeared.
England's Women's Super League is entering a 14-team era. Germany's Frauen-Bundesliga has added major clubs and new investment. Spain's Liga F continues to operate under Barcelona's extraordinary domestic dominance, while Italy and France are developing increasingly interesting title races behind their traditional powers.
So, just like I did with the men's game, I'm going to try to predict it all.
But we're going to do this a little differently.
This first part is the big one.
The Big Five.
England. Spain. Germany. Italy. France.
For each league, I'll give you my predicted table, the title race, teams to watch, players who could define the season and one prediction I'm willing to put my name behind.
Then we'll take the rest of Europe in Part II.
Let's get into it.
Women's Super League
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | Manchester City |
2 | Arsenal |
3 | Chelsea |
4 | Manchester United |
5 | London City Lionesses |
6 | Liverpool |
7 | Tottenham Hotspur |
8 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
9 | Aston Villa |
10 | Birmingham City |
11 | West Ham United |
12 | Crystal Palace |
13 | Everton |
14 | Charlton Athletic |
The Defending Champions Are Still My Favorites
Manchester City are the team to beat.
After winning the WSL last season, City haven't simply stood still. They have added major attacking and wide talent, including Beth Mead and Niamh Charles, while entering another season under Andrée Jeglertz.
The interesting question is whether they can handle the increased expectations.
Last season's title was convincing. Repeating it is harder.
I'm still backing them.
Manchester City win the Women's Super League.
Arsenal are my biggest challengers.
This might be the most important season of Renée Slegers' tenure. Arsenal finished second last season but underwent a significant summer rebuild, with 11 departures and seven arrivals. The club brought in players including Ona Batlle, Georgia Stanway, Géraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci.
Arsenal haven't won the league since 2019.
That is an absurdly long wait for one of England's biggest women's clubs.
I'm predicting them to push City extremely hard, but ultimately finish second.
Chelsea's New Era
Chelsea are the hardest team to predict.
Six consecutive WSL titles ended last season, and this summer has brought even more change.
Millie Bright, Sam Kerr, Catarina Macario and Guro Reiten have all departed, while Katie McCabe, Melvine Malard, Giulia Dragoni, Manaka Matsukubo and Nelly Las are among the new arrivals.
Sonia Bompastor now has to build a new Chelsea rather than simply maintain the old one.
That's why I have them third.
They could absolutely win the league.
I just don't think they will.
The London City Experiment
And then there is London City Lionesses.
This is one of the most fascinating clubs in European women's football right now.
The newly promoted side has gone straight into the WSL and immediately made enormous noise by signing Alexia Putellas and bringing Mary Earps back to England.
Their opening fixture is against Manchester United.
That's not a gentle introduction.
I have London City finishing fifth, which might seem aggressive for a newly promoted team.
But this isn't a normal newly promoted team.
Michelle Kang's investment has changed the expectations entirely.
Players to Watch
Alexia Putellas, London City Lionesses
There might not be a more obvious headline player in the league.
Putellas brings two Ballon d'Or awards, enormous Champions League experience and the ability to immediately raise the ceiling of a new club.
Georgia Stanway, Arsenal
Her return to England is one of the biggest transfers in the league.
If Arsenal are going to win the title, Stanway could be central to it.
Beth Mead, Manchester City
The move from Arsenal to City is one of the biggest stories of the summer.
How quickly Mead settles into City's system could have a major impact on the title race.
My Boldest Take
London City Lionesses finish fifth.
Yes, fifth.
A newly promoted club finishing above Liverpool, Tottenham and Brighton would be a statement.
And with the squad they've assembled, I don't think it's impossible.
The 2026/27 WSL is also entering a new 14-team era, with Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic joining the expanded league while Crystal Palace return to the top flight. The season begins September 4, with London City opening against Manchester United.
Liga F
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | Barcelona |
2 | Real Madrid |
3 | Real Sociedad |
4 | Atlético Madrid |
5 | Costa Adeje Tenerife |
6 | Athletic Club |
7 | Madrid CFF |
8 | Sevilla |
9 | Valencia |
10 | Levante Badalona |
11 | Granada |
12 | Eibar |
13 | Deportivo Abanca |
14 | Espanyol |
15 | Deportivo Alavés |
16 | DUX Logroño |
How Do You Stop Barcelona?
That's the question.
Barcelona have won seven consecutive Liga F titles.
Seven.
And after looking at the league, I still can't convince myself that anyone is ready to stop them.
So yes.
Barcelona are my champions again.
That doesn't mean the league is boring.
Quite the opposite.
The battle underneath Barcelona could be fascinating.
Real Madrid remain the obvious challenger, while Real Sociedad, Atlético Madrid and Costa Adeje Tenerife all have ambitions of pushing into the Champions League places.
Liga F has also become more difficult to predict because the middle of the table continues to strengthen.
Real Madrid Are Still Chasing
Real Madrid are my second-place team.
The club has continued investing heavily in the women's side and remains the most obvious candidate to eventually break Barcelona's domestic stranglehold.
But "eventually" isn't the same thing as "this season."
Barcelona remain too complete.
Real Madrid's challenge is to turn their financial and institutional investment into consistency against Barcelona over an entire league campaign.
The Real Battle Might Be Third
This is where I think things get interesting.
I'm predicting Real Sociedad to finish third.
Atlético Madrid finish fourth, while Costa Adeje Tenerife come fifth.
That's a significant prediction for Tenerife.
They finished fourth last season, and their ability to remain around the European places makes them one of the more interesting clubs outside the traditional giants.
Players to Watch
Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona
At this point, almost any Barcelona prediction starts with her.
If Barcelona are going to remain the dominant force in Spain, Bonmatí remains one of the central figures.
Linda Caicedo, Real Madrid
The Colombian forward remains one of the most exciting young attacking players in Europe.
If Real Madrid are going to make the title race genuinely competitive, players like Caicedo will be critical.
Jone Amezaga, Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad are the team I think could quietly make the biggest statement outside the two giants.
My Boldest Take
Costa Adeje Tenerife finish fifth again.
Barcelona remain the obvious champions, but the battle for the Champions League places could become much more interesting.
Liga F's 16-team field is confirmed, with Barcelona entering the season as seven-time consecutive champions and the first round beginning August 29–30. The league's official clubs include Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Real Sociedad, Tenerife, Athletic Club, Madrid CFF, Sevilla, Valencia and the newly promoted/restructured sides.
Frauen-Bundesliga
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | Bayern Munich |
2 | VfL Wolfsburg |
3 | Eintracht Frankfurt |
4 | RB Leipzig |
5 | Bayer Leverkusen |
6 | SC Freiburg |
7 | TSG Hoffenheim |
8 | Werder Bremen |
9 | 1. FC Union Berlin |
10 | 1. FC Köln |
11 | 1. FC Nürnberg |
12 | Hamburger SV |
13 | VfB Stuttgart |
14 | Mainz 05 |
Bayern Remain the Team to Beat
I'm keeping things simple here.
Bayern Munich win the Frauen-Bundesliga.
They are the defending champions, they have the depth and they remain the most complete team in Germany.
The bigger question is whether Wolfsburg can make the race closer.
Wolfsburg remain one of the defining clubs in European women's football, but Bayern have increasingly established themselves as the domestic standard.
I'm predicting Wolfsburg second.
Frankfurt Are the Wild Card
Eintracht Frankfurt are my third-place team.
They have become one of the more consistent clubs in German women's football and continue to operate in the European conversation.
A top-three finish would reinforce that position.
Leipzig Could Make Another Jump
I'm putting RB Leipzig fourth.
That's one of my more aggressive predictions.
Leipzig are still developing their women's program, but the club's broader resources and ambition make them a team I expect to continue climbing.
They may not be ready to challenge Bayern yet.
But fourth?
I can see it.
The Newcomers
This season's Bundesliga includes VfB Stuttgart and Mainz 05 as newcomers, alongside Hamburg returning to the top division.
Stuttgart are particularly fascinating.
They completed a record three consecutive promotions, going from the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg through the Regionalliga Süd and 2. Frauen-Bundesliga into the top flight.
That's an extraordinary rise.
I'm still predicting them to go down, but the fact they're here at all is a story worth following.
Players to Watch
Klara Bühl, Bayern Munich
Bayern's attack remains loaded with talent, and Bühl is one of the players who can make the difference in close matches.
Alexandra Popp, Wolfsburg
Popp remains one of the defining figures of German women's football, and Wolfsburg will need experienced leaders if they want to push Bayern.
Laura Freigang, Eintracht Frankfurt
A player capable of turning Frankfurt's possession into actual goals.
My Boldest Take
RB Leipzig finish fourth.
The top two are relatively straightforward.
The fight underneath them isn't.
The 2026/27 Frauen-Bundesliga has 14 teams, with Bayern, Wolfsburg and Frankfurt among the established powers and Stuttgart and Mainz entering as promoted clubs. The season began August 21, with Bayern facing Union Berlin and Wolfsburg opening at Nürnberg.
Serie A Women
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | Roma |
2 | Juventus |
3 | Inter |
4 | Fiorentina |
5 | Milan |
6 | Sassuolo |
7 | Como |
8 | Napoli |
9 | Lazio |
10 | Parma |
11 | Ternana Women |
12 | Genoa |
Roma Are My Champions
This is one of my favorite title picks in the entire series.
Roma win Serie A Women.
They're the defending champions after winning their 17th Italian title last season, and I'm not expecting them to surrender it easily.
The biggest challenge will come from Juventus.
The two clubs have become central to the Italian women's game, and Juventus remain one of the most successful clubs in the country's professional era.
I'm giving Roma the edge.
Juventus Are Right Behind Them
Juventus finish second.
The Bianconere remain an enormous force, and their European ambitions make this much more than a domestic competition.
The opening of the season has already shown how much attention is being placed on the club, with Juventus beginning their Women's Champions League qualifying campaign before the league itself starts.
Inter Could Break Through
I'm putting Inter third.
That would give them another Champions League qualification and further establish them as one of Italy's major clubs.
Inter have been increasingly competitive at the top of the league, and their matchup with Roma should be one of the season's defining games.
Como Are My Surprise
Como finish seventh.
That's my sleeper prediction.
Como are newly promoted, but their arrival isn't happening in isolation. The club has been building its women's project and enters a 12-team league where only one team is relegated.
That gives them room to establish themselves.
Players to Watch
Manuela Giugliano, Roma
The reigning champions' captain and one of the defining midfielders in Italian women's football.
Cristiana Girelli, Juventus
Still capable of deciding major matches.
Tessa Wullaert, Inter
One of the most experienced attacking players in the league and a major reason I have Inter finishing third.
My Boldest Take
Roma retain the title.
The Serie A Women format remains a 12-team league, with the top three qualifying for the 2027/28 Women's Champions League and only the bottom team relegated. The 2026/27 season begins September 26–27. Roma enter as defending champions, while Como are the promoted newcomer.
Arkema Première Ligue
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | OL Lyonnes |
2 | Paris Saint-Germain |
3 | Paris FC |
4 | FC Fleury 91 |
5 | Olympique Marseille |
6 | RC Lens |
7 | Montpellier |
8 | FC Nantes |
9 | Strasbourg |
10 | Le Havre |
11 | US Saint-Malo |
12 | Toulouse |
1-4: Championship playoff
Lyon Are Still Lyon
Some things are difficult to bet against.
OL Lyonnes win the Première Ligue.
They remain the defining club in French women's football and one of the defining clubs in the history of the European game.
But PSG aren't going anywhere.
The two clubs remain the central rivalry in French women's football, and the introduction of a four-team playoff for the championship makes the regular season even more interesting.
PSG Are My Biggest Threat
PSG finish second.
They have enough quality to win the league, but I'm giving Lyon the edge over the course of the season.
That doesn't mean PSG won't get another opportunity.
The top four enter the championship playoffs, meaning finishing first doesn't automatically end the title race.
That could create some chaos.
Paris FC Are Still Here
Paris FC are my third-place team.
They have continued to establish themselves as one of France's strongest clubs outside the traditional giants.
And unlike a lot of leagues, France has a genuine third club capable of challenging the top two.
That's important.
Marseille's Arrival
I'm putting Marseille fifth.
The club's return to the top level has been one of the more interesting developments in French women's football, and the scale of the Marseille brand gives them enormous potential.
They may not be ready to challenge Lyon or PSG immediately.
But they're one of the clubs I'd watch over the next few years.
Players to Watch
Tabitha Chawinga, OL Lyonnes
After starring for PSG, Chawinga's move to Lyon gave the champions another elite attacking weapon last season.
Her ability to turn chances into goals could be one of the defining differences between Lyon and PSG.
Ada Hegerberg, OL Lyonnes
When healthy and available, Hegerberg remains one of the most accomplished goalscorers in European women's football.
Clara Mateo, Paris FC
One of the players who can make Paris FC much more dangerous in the final third.
My Boldest Take
Marseille finish fifth in their first season back.
The French league is changing.
And while Lyon remain the favorite, the league underneath them is becoming considerably more competitive.
The 2026/27 Arkema Première Ligue has 12 clubs, begins September 5 and concludes its regular season in May before the top four enter the championship playoffs. Marseille and Lens are among the clubs entering the competition after promotion, while Toulouse and Saint-Malo are also part of the new field.
The Big Five: My Champions
After five leagues, here are the teams I'm backing to lift the trophy.
League | My Champion |
Women's Super League | Manchester City |
Liga F | Barcelona |
Frauen-Bundesliga | Bayern Munich |
Serie A Women | Roma |
Arkema Première Ligue | OL Lyonnes |
And there are some interesting patterns here.
I'm backing three defending champions to retain their titles.
I'm backing Roma to defend their crown in Italy.
And I'm backing Manchester City to do the same in England.
But the biggest difference between these leagues is the size of the gap between first and everyone else.
Barcelona have won seven straight Liga F titles.
Lyon remain the dominant force in France.
Bayern have increasingly established themselves as Germany's domestic standard.
England and Italy feel considerably more open.
That doesn't mean the other leagues are boring.
It means the battles are happening in different places.
In Spain, it's the fight for second, third and fourth.
In France, it's the battle to reach the championship playoffs.
In Germany, it's whether Wolfsburg can seriously challenge Bayern.
In England, it's whether Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United can stop City.
In Italy, it's whether Juventus can take the title back from Roma.
That's what I'm watching.
My Teams to Watch
If you only have time to follow a handful of clubs from this entire first part, these are mine:
London City Lionesses
The most fascinating project in England.
Alexia Putellas.
Mary Earps.
A new WSL club.
And enormous expectations.
Costa Adeje Tenerife
One of the clubs I think could continue challenging the established order in Spain.
RB Leipzig
My German sleeper.
If they finish fourth, this prediction could look very good by May.
Como
The promoted Italian club I'm most interested in following.
Marseille
A massive football institution entering a league where the women's side has enormous room to grow.
The Players I'm Watching
A few names I'm circling before the season really gets going:
Alexia Putellas, London City Lionesses
The biggest individual storyline of the WSL season.
Georgia Stanway, Arsenal
A major return to English football and potentially the missing piece Arsenal need.
Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona
One of the world's best players on arguably the world's most dominant club.
Klara Bühl, Bayern Munich
A major attacking weapon for the defending German champions.
Manuela Giugliano, Roma
The captain of the Italian champions and one of the league's most important midfielders.
Tabitha Chawinga, OL Lyonnes
One of the most exciting forwards in France and a player capable of changing the European picture.
What Comes Next?
That's Part I.
The Big Five are done.
But Europe doesn't end here.
The Netherlands.
Portugal.
Belgium.
Sweden.
Norway.
Denmark.
Switzerland.
Austria.
There are still plenty of leagues to go.
Part II will be faster.
More tables.
More predictions.
More clubs you've probably heard of and plenty you might not have.
Because if there's one thing this project has taught me from the men's side, it's that European football gets much more interesting the further you go.
The women's game is no different.
Theron Norrington
Founder & Editor, OffTheRecord
Independent journalism exploring the stories that shape sport, culture, and the world beyond the headlines.
Photo Credits
Photos: WSL Football, Arsenal Women, Manchester City Women, London City Lionesses, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, DFB, FC Bayern München, VfL Wolfsburg, FIGC, AS Roma, Juventus, Inter, FFF, OL Lyonnes, Paris Saint-Germain, Paris FC, participating clubs, Getty Images, Reuters, AP, AFP, and credited photographers where applicable.
All photographs remain the property of their respective copyright holders. OffTheRecord does not claim ownership of third-party imagery.
© 2026 OffTheRecord. All rights reserved.
Comments