The 2018/19 season isn’t quite playing out as many of the European giants had expected.
Managers have been sacked, players criticised and fans talking with their feet and voices. We’re not far off the halfway point of the season now and it’s looking bleak for a few of the continent’s top teams, who have otherwise enjoyed great success domestically this decade.
We take a look around Europe’s top leagues and explore the downfall of some clubs and the rise of particular underdogs.
La Liga
Real Madrid have really suffered with the loss of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and manager Zinedine Zidane and are languishing in fifth place behind Barcelona, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Alaves respectively. They’ve even parted company with Zidane’s successor Julen Lopetegui and appointed Santiago Solari in his place, but the latter’s results have been mixed after having been given the job on a permanent basis.
Naturally most bookmakers including William Hill and Ladbrokes have Barcelona as favourites to win the league at 6/4, but if things stay as they are Real Madrid could, inconceivably, finish outside the top four.
It would be disaster for the current European Champions if they finished outside that top four, never mind finish below both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
January transfers are likely to help rectify that, with the likes of Christian Eriksen, Aaron Ramsey, Mauro Icardi and Eden Hazard rumoured to be on the club’s wish list.
Bundesliga
Bayern Munich are equally suffering. They currently stand nine points behind Borussia Dortmund and also currently are trailing Borussia Monchengladbach and Red Bull Leipzig.
Frankfurt and Hoffenheim are also on the Champions’ tail too, with Bayern now 6/5 to win the league, the best odds you’ll ever get on them.
Rumours are beginning to spread that Bayern could be seeking a new manager to replace Niko Kovac, who has failed to make an impression at the Allianz Arena.
Arsene Wenger has been rumoured with the bookies tipping him to be the next manager, and he could well be the perfect replacement.
His philosophy would suit perfectly and the chance to win silverware would be hugely tempting for the Frenchman.
Premier League
Manchester City are favourites across Premier League betting sites to win the league, and are looking like excellent prospects for the title once more, it is however the challenge for Europe which is a much more interesting battle.
Manchester United are enduring their worst start in Premier League history and are struggling to keep their hopes for reaching the Champions League alive and are as high as 60/1 with win it with bookies Betfred.
Arsenal, in fourth, are already eight points clear of the side, making it almost impossible for Jose Mourinho’s men to make that top four.
Liverpool still have the chance to win the league and would perhaps cause somewhat of an upset if they finished ahead of City come the end of the season.
Serie A
As with almost every season over the last decade, Juventus are far and away leading at the top of Serie A having yet to lose a fixture.
One side that is struggling however is Roma, who are already 20 points off the top despite just 13 games played.
AC Milan and Inter currently occupy the top four places alongside Napoli, who have been contenders for some time.
Roma have won just two of their last seven in all competitions, with pressure beginning to mount on the club as they look to improve on seventh place and jump above fierce rivals