Revisiting my 2024-25 preseason European soccer predictions

I made several pre-season predictions about the Big 4 European soccer leagues way back in August, 2024 in the Soccer Saturday: For What It’s Worth column.

Then ahead of the UEFA Competitions kicking off, I made predictions on how those would play out as well.

With the seasons now done and the champions all crowned, let’s take a look back at what I got right, what was close, and what went horribly wrong.

Serie A

Predicted Top 4: Inter Milan, AS Roma, AC Milan, Juventus

Actual Top 4: Inter Milan, Napoli, Atlanta, Juventus

Predicted Coppa Italia winner: AS Roma

Actual Coppa Italia winner: Bologna

Predicted Relegations: Cagliari, Empoli, Venezia

Actual Relegations: Monza, Empoli, Venezia

Summary: The race at the top with Inter Milan and Napoli coming down to the final week was amazing. So did the race for the fourth and final Champions League spot between Juventus and Roma, who finished only one point back in fifth. No one predicted Bologna winning any silverware this season, so huge claps to them for taking the Coppa Italia. I was way off with Milan, who aren’t even in European action next season, as well as Cagliari being relegated.

EPL

Predicted Top 4: Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Man United

Actual Top 4: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea

Predicted FA Cup winner: Chelsea

Actual FA Cup winner: Crystal Palace

Predicted Relegations: Southampton, Wolves, Bournemouth

Actual Relegations: Leicester, Ipswich, Southampton

Summary: Okay, I had no idea the first year minus the genius Jurgen Klopp would mean winning the Premier League title for Liverpool. I guess when you don’t have to play deep into Europe, it means you can focus on the league. I still had three of the top 4 right, so that’s not bad.

 I can’t believe Man United were fighting to stay above the relegation zone for much of the season. Same goes for Spurs. Shameful. The fact they played each other in the Europa League final is why UEFA competitions are so interesting. League form goes out the window. Palace winning the FA Cup was a huge accomplishment and it is a well-deserved trophy. I really thought Ipswich would surprise and survive. Wolves did finish in the bottom half of the table but were well away from the drop zone.

Bundesliga

Predicted Top 4: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Leipzig

Actual Top 4: Bayern, Leverkusen, Frankfurt, Dortmund

Predicted DFB-Pokal winner: Dortmund

Actual Cup winner: Stuttgart

Predicted Relegations: Mainz, Union Berlin, Augsburg

Actual Relegations: Holstein Kiel, Bochum

Summary: The Bundesliga was a pretty straightforward affair and picking three of the top 4 correct, plus Leipzig finished only six points out, was relatively easy as well. The Cup always has some surprises and it’s fair to say Stuttgart winning it all over third division side Arminia in the final was indeed a shock. The Bundesliga does a playoff to see if a third club is relegated and, in this case, only two clubs are going down next season. I was horribly wrong on all my bottom of the table picks.

La Liga

Predicted Top 4: Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Betis

Actual Top 4: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club

Predicted Copa Del Rey winner: Atletico Madrid

Actual Cup winner: Barcelona.

Predicted Relegations: Real Valladolid, Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas

Actual Relegations: Las Palmas, Valladolid, Leganes

Summary: The Barcelona domestic double was a very solid campaign. The got close in Europe, falling to Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals. Three of the top four were the easy predictions, however Betis was close, finishing in sixth. In the Copa, Atletico were edge 5-4 on aggregate in the semi-finals against winners Barcelona. Two of the three relegation predictions came through. Rayo Vallecano surprised as they finished in the top half of the table.

European Summary of Champions

Congratulations to PSG, Tottenham (who knew?), and Chelsea.

Even though I didn’t make any predictions due to the new format of the competitions – which I love, love, and love some more.

I can legitimately say I would have predicted Inter Milan to win the Champions League, AS Roma to win the Europa League, and Fiorentina to win the Conference League. I would have been wrong on all three but at least Inter was in their final and Fiorentina made it to the semis. People who spoke to me in person over the years know I go all in on the Serie A teams in Europe, and as a Roma supporter that would have been my pick (I would have been wrong, but that still would have been my pick.).

That’s it for me! Ciao For Now!