As summer continues, most European soccer fans follow the latest transfer rumours or tune into leagues on other continents. The long wait until the season begins continues, but fans and gambling enthusiasts are already looking ahead. The odds for the favourites to win the major European leagues have already been released on online betting sites, and many are placing their bets already.
Even if some things can change between now and the start of the season, the favourites are established. Let's look at who sportsbooks have projected as the favourite to win in the five top European leagues.
There is no questioning Manchester City's position atop the sport. After securing a rare treble, this squad is entering the year with as high expectations as they've had. Pep Guardiola's group has dominated the Premier League table over the past decade, and there is no reason to expect anything to change this year. They return the most talented group in England, led by Erling Haaland, who will look to beat his own record for most goals in a season. City is elite at every position, and while there are some strong challengers, they should continue to dominate.
Oddsmakers have the least certainty in Serie A, as Inter Milan is relatively jumbled with AC Milan, Napoli, and Juventus. Inter Milan stands as the favourite at the moment, and after a run to the final of the Champions League, it is easy to have faith in this team. They have a world-class forward in Lautaro Martinez, a quality midfield, and a manager who employs fascinating tactics. Inter Milan will face stiff competition from a balanced Italian league, but if everything goes right for the team, they could add to their trophy collection.
Real Madrid has flexed its muscles in the transfer market this summer, and they might not be finished yet. Madrid has acquired Jude Bellingham, one of the most promising young Englishmen in the sport, and may still add Kylian Mbappe. This is only adding to what was already a world-class team, with up-and-coming superstars like Vinicius Jr. But the reason why they're not the unquestioned, odds-on favourite is that their bitter rival, Barcelona, also looks strong. It will be an intriguing year for these two rivals, who have entered new eras defined by youth and excitement.
Betting on anyone other than Bayern Munich to win the Bundesliga has been an exercise in futility over the past few years. Bayern has won the German league every year since 2012-13, and it is difficult to picture anything else happening this year. Bayern Munich returns a highly talented team that includes some of the best players in the world, from Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala to Leroy Sane and Manuel Neuer. The team doesn't face any real competition this season, as Borussia Dortmund has gotten worse with the departure of Jude Bellingham. It should be another walk in the park to a domestic crown.
Paris Saint-Germain has similarly controlled their league, with the French Ligue 1 mostly ending with a PSG title over the past decade. This year has marked a big change for the squad, as Messi has moved onto Miami, and it seems likely that Mbappe will be out the door. But in a French league that lacks the competition that other top European leagues offer, this PSG team should be able to maintain its advantage. They still have world-class players like Neymar, Marquinhos, Hakimi, and Marco Verratti. In oddsmakers' eyes, that should be more than enough to propel them to victory.
