As the 2025-26 European football season draws near, major clubs are busy strengthening their rosters in pursuit of league glory. However, the football landscape often produces unexpected stories from teams poised to defy expectations. History is replete with examples of clubs achieving remarkable feats, from Leicester City`s stunning Premier League triumph in 2015-16 under Claudio Ranieri – arguably the sport`s greatest upset – to more recent surprises like Girona`s 2023 Champions League qualification or Borussia Dortmund`s impressive run to the 2023-24 Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley. We`ll now explore potential breakout teams across Europe`s top five leagues for the upcoming season.
Serie A: Como
Keep an eye on Como in Serie A this season. Under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, the club has made substantial investments, exceeding $100 million in summer transfers, while successfully retaining their coach after a promising debut in Italy`s top flight. With ambitious ownership aiming to establish Como as a major Italian club, the pressure is on them to secure European qualification. A top-ten finish would be respectable, but reaching an international competition would signify a significant leap forward in their long-term development.
Ligue 1: Olympique Marseille
It might seem odd to label Olympique Marseille`s upcoming season as a potential surprise, given their strong 2024-25 campaign where Roberto De Zerbi`s squad finished second in Ligue 1, 19 points adrift of PSG, and secured a UEFA Champions League spot. However, the true challenge lies in competing domestically with the reigning Champions League winners. De Zerbi faces the daunting task of narrowing that gap and directly challenging Les Parisiens for the league title. After a period of underperformance, OM appears to have found their footing and, under De Zerbi, seem capable of genuinely contending for silverware once more.
Premier League: Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace enters the new season on the back of a strong foundational period under Oliver Glasner, highlighted by their historic FA Cup victory against Manchester City last season. While fans eagerly anticipate their European adventure in 2025-26, the upcoming campaign is crucial for the club to solidify its Premier League standing. Having largely maintained the successful squad from the previous season, Palace aims to build on their achievements and establish a sustained period of success.
La Liga: Mallorca
Mallorca FC presents an intriguing prospect for the new season. Under Robert Sarver`s ownership, the club has embarked on an ambitious project, aiming to transform the team into a significant draw for the millions of tourists visiting the Spanish island annually. Their progress has been evident, reaching the Copa del Rey final in 2023, where they narrowly lost to Athletic Club on penalties, and securing a commendable 10th-place finish last season under Jagoba Arrasate. There`s a strong sense that they are poised for further improvement in the coming year.
Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt concluded last season impressively, securing third place in the Bundesliga and qualifying for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League under Dino Toppmoller. Despite the notable departure of striker Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool for a record $95 million this summer, the German side will be aiming for even greater heights this year. Eintracht is a team to closely monitor, especially as the spotlight often remains fixed on Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Following their surprising performance last season, they now face increased expectations as they strive to consistently challenge at the top of the German league.
