I Predicted the Women's European Leagues (Pt. 2)
Part II — The Rest of Europe
The Big Five are done.
Manchester City. Barcelona. Bayern Munich. Roma. Lyon.
Those were my champions in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France.
But women's football in Europe is much bigger than five leagues.
There are title races happening across the continent, clubs building ambitious projects, historic teams trying to return to the top and younger sides attempting to break into European football.
So we're finishing this series the same way we finished the men's version:
Faster.
More tables.
Less deep diving.
But still plenty of predictions.
For Part II, I'm covering eight more leagues:
Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria
These aren't necessarily the eight strongest leagues in Europe. They're eight leagues I think are particularly interesting to follow right now.
Let's finish the series.
Vrouwen Eredivisie (NED)
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | PSV |
2 | FC Twente |
3 | Ajax |
4 | Feyenoord |
5 | AZ |
6 | FC Utrecht |
7 | FC Groningen |
8 | PEC Zwolle |
9 | Excelsior |
10 | ADO Den Haag |
The New Dutch Order?
PSV are my champions.
They enter the season as the defending champions after winning the first league title in club history in 2025/26. PSV were the league's strongest statistical team last season, scoring the most and conceding the fewest.
But this is where things get interesting.
The Netherlands is deliberately shrinking its top division from 12 clubs to 10 for 2026/27, with clubs playing each other three times and no playoffs. The KNVB says the change is designed to improve sporting quality while the professional women's pyramid continues developing.
That could make the top of the table considerably more competitive.
FC Twente are still the obvious challenger.
Ajax are close behind.
And Feyenoord are the team I think could make the biggest jump.
Team to Watch: Feyenoord
Feyenoord have one of the biggest names in Dutch football behind them, and their women's project is becoming increasingly important.
I don't think they're ready to challenge PSV yet.
But fourth would be a significant step.
Player to Watch: Liz Rijsbergen
Rijsbergen is one of the attacking players I'm watching most closely in the Dutch league.
She already scored in PSV's 3–0 Super Cup victory over Twente, which gave PSV their first Super Cup.
Bold Prediction
PSV win back-to-back titles.
The Dutch title race should be considerably closer than it was last year.
Liga BPI (POR)
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | Benfica |
2 | Sporting CP |
3 | SC Braga |
4 | FC Famalicão |
5 | Damaiense |
6 | Valadares Gaia |
7 | Estoril |
8 | Marítimo |
9 | Torreense |
10 | Vitória SC |
Benfica Are Still the Standard
Benfica enter 2026/27 as six-time consecutive Portuguese champions after securing the 2025/26 title with two matches still remaining.
So I'm not overthinking this.
Benfica win again.
Sporting and Braga are the two clubs I expect to provide the biggest challenge, but Benfica have built an enormous domestic advantage.
The more interesting question is whether anyone can close the gap.
Sporting vs Braga
I'm giving Sporting second and Braga third.
Sporting have the resources and history to challenge Benfica, while Braga remain one of the country's most established women's clubs.
But Benfica's consistency is difficult to match.
Team to Watch: Famalicão
I'm putting Famalicão fourth.
They're one of the clubs I think could quietly become a bigger factor in Portuguese women's football over the next few years.
Player to Watch: Caroline Møller
Møller is one of the more experienced names on this list, but that doesn't make her any less exciting to watch. The Danish international brings versatility and technical quality to a Benfica side that continues to dominate Portuguese women's football. After playing an important role in Benfica's domestic success, including scoring both goals in the Portuguese Cup final, Møller enters the new season with plenty of expectations on her shoulders. If Benfica are going to continue setting the pace, she'll likely be an important part of it.
Bold Prediction
Benfica finish undefeated.
Maybe that's ambitious.
But I don't see anyone taking the title from them yet.
Lotto Women's Pro League (BEL)
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | OH Leuven |
2 | Anderlecht |
3 | Club YLA |
4 | Standard Fémina |
5 | Genk Ladies |
6 | KAA Gent Ladies |
7 | Zulte Waregem |
8 | RAAL La Louvière |
1-4: Champions playoff, 5-8: Relegation playoff
Belgium Has a New Favorite
This is one of the leagues where I'm going against recent history.
Anderlecht had won seven consecutive league titles before OH Leuven finally ended that run in 2025/26. OHL secured its first-ever championship after defeating Anderlecht on the final day of the playoffs.
I'm backing them to do it again.
OH Leuven retain the title.
But Don't Sleep on Anderlecht
Anderlecht aren't suddenly irrelevant.
Far from it.
They finished second last season and remain one of Belgium's biggest women's football institutions.
The club also enters the new UEFA Women's Europa Cup, while OHL enters Champions League qualifying. Belgium's rise in the UEFA coefficient has already earned the league three European places from 2027/28 onward.
That matters.
Belgian women's football is growing.
The Newcomers
RAAL La Louvière are the new team in the division and begin their first season in the Belgian professional women's game against Zulte Waregem.
I'm predicting relegation.
But surviving would already be a huge achievement.
Player to Watch: Jada Conijnenberg
Coming off a 15-goal league campaign, Jada Conijnenberg is one of the most intriguing young forwards in Belgium. The 23-year-old helped OH Leuven claim the league title last season and has already shown that she can produce on the European stage, too. With her finishing and movement continuing to develop, this could be the season where Conijnenberg goes from a promising domestic striker to one of Belgium's most recognizable attacking players.
Bold Prediction
OH Leuven become the first Belgian club in years to build a genuine domestic dynasty outside Anderlecht.
Damallsvenskan (SWE)
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | BK Häcken |
2 | Hammarby |
3 | Malmö FF |
4 | FC Rosengård |
5 | Kristianstads DFF |
6 | Djurgården |
7 | AIK |
8 | IFK Norrköping |
9 | Vittsjö GIK |
10 | IF Brommapojkarna |
11 | Växjö |
12 | Piteå IF |
13 | IK Uppsala |
14 | Eskilstuna United |
Sweden Might Be Europe's Most Interesting Women's League
Sweden has always been one of the major development centers for women's football.
But now the country is producing something else:
European relevance.
BK Häcken won the inaugural UEFA Women's Europa Cup in 2026, defeating Hammarby in an all-Swedish final. Teenage forward Felicia Schröder scored all four of Häcken's goals across the two legs.
That's a massive statement.
I'm backing Häcken to win the domestic league too.
Hammarby Are Right There
Hammarby are my second-place team.
Their run to the Europa Cup final proved that they're capable of competing beyond Sweden.
And if Häcken slip?
Hammarby are probably the team waiting.
Malmö Are My Surprise
I'm putting Malmö third.
The club's return to the top flight adds another enormous name to the Swedish women's game.
The 2026 league has 14 teams, including Häcken, Malmö, Rosengård, Hammarby, Djurgården and promoted Eskilstuna United and IK Uppsala.
Player to Watch: Anna Walter
Walter's move from Nordsjælland to Hammarby is another example of Denmark's ability to develop players who can move into bigger European opportunities.
Bold Prediction
Häcken win the league and become Sweden's dominant European representative.
Toppserien (NOR)
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | SK Brann |
2 | Rosenborg |
3 | Vålerenga |
4 | AaFK Kvinner |
5 | Stabæk |
6 | LSK Kvinner |
7 | Lyn |
8 | Molde |
9 | Røa |
10 | Haugesund |
11 | Hønefoss |
12 | Bodø/Glimt |
Brann Are My Pick
This is one prediction where the current season is already giving me confidence.
Brann have been extremely strong.
As of late August, they were leading the Toppserien with 38 points from 14 matches, having scored 45 goals and conceded just four.
So I'm sticking with it:
Brann win the Toppserien.
Rosenborg Are the Threat
Rosenborg finish second.
They have enough quality and history to remain in the European conversation, but Brann look like the more complete side.
Vålerenga Can't Be Ignored
Vålerenga finish third.
They're still one of Norway's biggest women's clubs and remain capable of competing for trophies.
The 2026 Toppserien has 12 clubs, including Brann, Rosenborg, Vålerenga, LSK, Stabæk, Bodø/Glimt and Molde.
Player to Watch: Brenna Lovera
If you want goals, keep an eye on Brenna Lovera. The Brann forward has been one of the league's most productive attackers, finding the net consistently for a side that has established itself as one of Norway's strongest teams. With Brann pushing for another league title, Lovera's ability to turn chances into goals could be one of the biggest factors in their success. She's already producing — now it's about seeing just how high that ceiling is.
Bold Prediction
Brann win the title by a comfortable margin.
Kvindeliga (DEN)
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | HB Køge |
2 | Fortuna Hjørring |
3 | FC Nordsjælland |
4 | Brøndby |
5 | FC Midtjylland |
6 | Kolding IF |
7 | OB Q |
8 | ASA Aarhus |
9 | AGF |
10 | FC København |
1-6: Championship playoffs, 7-10: Relegation playoffs
A New Danish Champion?
I'm going with HB Køge.
Fortuna Hjørring dominated the 2025/26 campaign, winning the league and cup double, finishing 13 points clear of Nordsjælland.
But the landscape is changing.
HB Køge have been one of the strongest Danish women's clubs in recent years and have already made a strong start to 2026/27.
As of late August, Køge were sitting first after four matches with a perfect 12 points and a 12–1 goal difference.
I'm backing them to turn that start into a championship.
Fortuna Still Have the Experience
Fortuna finish second.
They have the pedigree.
They have the history.
And they just won the double.
But I'm predicting a changing of the guard.
Nordsjælland Are Still Important
FC Nordsjælland finish third.
Their youth-development model remains one of the most fascinating in Scandinavian women's football, and the club has already produced players moving into larger European environments.
Player to Watch: Amalie Nyvang Lund
Lund is the kind of player that makes the “player to watch” label worthwhile. The young Kolding IF attacker has already started making an impact in front of goal and has the opportunity to establish herself as one of the next exciting domestic talents in Denmark. With the Kvindeliga continuing to develop young Danish players, don't be surprised if Nyvang Lund becomes a name you'll be hearing a lot more often by the end of the season.
Bold Prediction
HB Køge win the Danish title.
The current league has ten teams, and the opening weeks already have Køge, Fortuna and Midtjylland near the top of the table.
AXA Women's Super League (SUI)
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | Servette Chênois |
2 | FC Zürich |
3 | FC Basel |
4 | BSC Young Boys |
5 | FC St. Gallen |
6 | FC Luzern |
7 | Grasshopper Club Zürich |
8 | FC Rapperswil-Jona |
9 | FC Aarau |
10 | Yverdon Sport |
11 | FC Sion |
Servette Are Building Something
This is one of the easiest picks for me.
The Swiss federation's own season preview described Servette as the club with the biggest ambitions entering the new campaign after bringing in 11 players from abroad, including international experience from several European leagues.
That's an enormous amount of recruitment.
I'm backing them.
Servette win Switzerland.
Zürich Are Still a Problem
FC Zürich finish second.
They remain one of the historic powers of Swiss women's football and should be involved in the title race.
Basel Could Push
Basel finish third.
They have enough quality to challenge for European football, but Servette's summer investment gives them the edge.
The Format Makes This Interesting
The Swiss season isn't simply a straightforward league table.
The regular season runs through March, followed by playoffs, with the championship final played over two legs in May.
That means finishing first isn't the end of the story.
It just gives you the best position to enter the real fight.
Player to Watch: Nataša Andonova
The North Macedonian international is among Servette's headline additions and brings experience from across European football.
Bold Prediction
Servette win the regular season and the championship.
Frauen-Bundesliga (AUT)
My Prediction
Pos. | Club |
1 | SKN St. Pölten |
2 | Austria Wien |
3 | First Vienna |
4 | Sturm Graz |
5 | Neulengbach |
6 | Union Kleinmünchen |
7 | LASK |
8 | SK Rapid Wien |
9 | Altach |
10 | Südburgenland |
The Champions Have Already Lost
And that's exactly why I'm picking them.
Austria Wien won its first-ever Frauen-Bundesliga title last season and completed the double after a ridiculous final-day finish against St. Pölten. Austria needed a draw, St. Pölten scored a stoppage-time penalty, and Austria equalized almost immediately afterward.
It was one of the wildest title finishes in European women's football.
But St. Pölten got revenge immediately.
In the opening match of the new season, they defeated Austria 1–0, ending Austria's league unbeaten run.
That's enough for me.
St. Pölten take the title back.
Austria Are Still the Main Rival
Austria Wien finish second.
Their first championship changed the balance of power in Austria.
They aren't going away.
First Vienna Are My Sleeper
First Vienna finish third.
They're one of the historic names in Austrian football, and the women's side has the potential to become increasingly important as the domestic game grows.
Player to Watch: Almedina Šišić
At just 20 years old, Almedina Šišić is already a league and cup winner. The Austria Wien attacker made a strong impression during her first season with the club, contributing six league goals despite frequently being used as a substitute. Austria Wien clearly see something special in her, extending her contract through 2029. With more minutes and responsibility potentially coming her way, this could be the season Šišić makes the jump from promising young player to genuine star.
Bold Prediction
St. Pölten win the league after finishing second last season.
The Final Eight
And that's it.
The entire series is finished.
Across Parts I and II, I've predicted 13 major women's leagues across Europe.
Here are my champions:
League | My Champion |
Women's Super League | Manchester City |
Liga F | Barcelona |
Frauen-Bundesliga | Bayern Munich |
Serie A Women | Roma |
Première Ligue | OL Lyonnes |
Vrouwen Eredivisie | PSV |
Liga BPI | Benfica |
Lotto Women's Pro League | OH Leuven |
Damallsvenskan | BK Häcken |
Toppserien | SK Brann |
Kvindeliga | HB Køge |
AXA Women's Super League | Servette Chênois |
Frauen-Bundesliga | SKN St. Pölten |
There are plenty of obvious picks here.
Barcelona.
Bayern.
Benfica.
Lyon.
But there are also some predictions I'm putting my name behind that could look very different by the end of the season.
OH Leuven repeating in Belgium.
HB Køge taking Denmark from Fortuna Hjørring.
Servette winning Switzerland after a massive summer rebuild.
St. Pölten reclaiming Austria.
Häcken combining domestic success with European momentum.
And, perhaps my favorite:
PSV becoming the new standard in the Netherlands.
Women's football across Europe is still developing.
Some leagues are already highly professionalized.
Others are building rapidly.
Some clubs have enormous historical pedigrees.
Others are only beginning to establish themselves.
But the direction is clear.
The women's game isn't simply growing alongside men's football.
It is building its own football ecosystem.
And increasingly, that ecosystem is becoming impossible to ignore.
The Final Predictions
My Biggest Favorite
Barcelona
Seven consecutive Liga F titles is an absurd level of dominance.
My Biggest Upset
HB Køge winning Denmark
Fortuna Hjørring just won the double.
I'm still taking Køge.
My Biggest Sleeper
OH Leuven
The reigning Belgian champions could be at the beginning of something much bigger.
My Team to Watch
London City Lionesses
The combination of Alexia Putellas, Mary Earps and Michelle Kang's investment makes them one of the most fascinating projects anywhere in women's football.
My Player to Watch
Amalie Nyvang Lund
One of Denmark's young attackers to keep an eye on. The Kolding IF forward has already shown an eye for goal and has the opportunity to establish herself as one of the Kvindeliga's emerging talents this season.
My Biggest Question
Who can actually stop Barcelona?
Because until somebody does, every Liga F prediction starts with the same answer.
Barcelona.
That's the Series
This is the final part of I Predicted the Women's European Leagues Too.
Thirteen leagues.
Thirteen champions.
Hundreds of teams.
And absolutely no guarantee that I get any of it right.
That's the fun.
The women's game deserves the same attention, scrutiny and ridiculous predictions that we give men's football.
So now we wait.
Let's see how badly I get these wrong.
Theron Norrington
Founder & Editor, OffTheRecord
Independent journalism exploring the stories that shape sport, culture, and the world beyond the headlines.
Photo Credits
Photos: PSV, Benfica, OH Leuven, BK Häcken, UEFA, SK Brann, HB Køge, Servette Chênois, SKN St. Pölten, KNVB, FPF, Belgian Pro League, Swedish Football Association, Norges Fotballforbund, Danish A-Liga, Swiss Football Association, Austrian Football Association, 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. Images are used for editorial purposes with attribution where available.
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