We are opening the 2026/2027 season with predictions for seven matches selected from the DFL-Supercup, LaLiga, Eredivisie, Premier League, and Turkish Süper Lig. We hope you enjoy an entertaining and profitable season.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich
Match Analysis
Two German giants meet in one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the week, the DFL-Supercup. Matches between these two sides have often produced entertaining, high-scoring football, and this encounter is expected to follow the same pattern. Just as in many of their previous meetings, this should be an exciting and goal-filled contest.
Prediction
Over 2.5 Goals
RCD Espanyol Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Match Analysis
After a turbulent and unsuccessful season, Real Madrid have entered a rebuilding process under José Mourinho, one of the coaches best known for his “Iron Fist” approach, in an effort to put an end to indiscipline and clashes of egos within the squad. The club have also made significant additions to the team, signing Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, and Yan Diomande. They have also decided to keep Endrick after his return from loan and signed Carlos Espí, seemingly addressing their striker shortage to some extent. Real Madrid have also shown positive form in their preseason matches and appear ready for the new season.
With this being a major prestige match for both José Mourinho and Real Madrid, Los Blancos will travel to face Espanyol with a clear determination to win. Neither the coach, the club hierarchy, nor the supporters will have much tolerance for the trauma of starting the season with dropped points.
The Catalan hosts Espanyol may have opened the season with three points after a convincing 3–0 victory over Levante UD, but their limited squad depth and the injury to Javi Puado will put them at a disadvantage against Los Blancos. Moreover, although Espanyol tend to be highly motivated for big matches, their struggles with finishing remain one of their biggest weaknesses. Those who remember the FC Barcelona match on January 3, 2026, will know exactly what this means. Espanyol applied serious pressure and pinned Barcelona back, but they simply could not find the goal they needed. Barcelona, meanwhile, ultimately solved the match through superior finishing and won 2–0.
Having entered a significant period of change under Mourinho, Real Madrid will face a difficult atmosphere at Espanyol, but their superior squad quality should allow them to begin the league season with three points.
Prediction
Away Win
PSV Eindhoven vs FC Groningen
Match Analysis
PSV made a disappointing start to the season with a 4–0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Johan Cruijff Schaal, followed immediately by a 2–2 draw against Fortuna Sittard on the opening matchday of the league. The departures of Ismael Saibari to Bayern Munich and Joey Veerman to Borussia Dortmund appeared to have had a significant impact on the team. PSV finally put an end to the poor run with a 2–1 away victory over Excelsior Rotterdam and will now look to build a strong rhythm by defeating Groningen at the Philips Stadion.
Although Groningen made a positive start to the league season, they face a PSV side with a significantly stronger squad that is eager to build momentum. The visitors are unlikely to offer much resistance away from home.
Prediction
Home Win
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Match Analysis
Manchester City suffered a shocking 3–0 defeat to Arsenal FC in the Community Shield, producing a worrying display in their first competitive match since Pep Guardiola’s departure. Gianluigi Donnarumma’s dreadful performance was one of the most discussed aspects of the match. Following that result in particular, there is now considerable uncertainty surrounding how the Enzo Maresca era will unfold.
Considering all this turmoil, Bournemouth have a significant potential to cause problems. When they play courageously, they can be a very dangerous side. Although Enzo Maresca and his players will take the field with an absolute determination to win, this is unlikely to be an easy match for them.
Taking all these factors into account, rather than backing either side to win, opting for Bournemouth to score appears to be a very logical choice.
Prediction
Away Team Over 0.5 Goals
SC Cambuur Leeuwarden vs Feyenoord Rotterdam
Match Analysis
Feyenoord, who have welcomed Giovanni van Bronckhorst back as their manager after many years, suffered a surprise loss of points last week by drawing with Go Ahead Eagles. Nevertheless, the Rotterdam club have shown positive signs of recovery since van Bronckhorst took charge.
This week, his side travel to face Cambuur, one of the weakest teams in the league, who began the season with two defeats and a combined goal difference of -6. Considering the significant difference in squad quality, the changes since van Bronckhorst’s arrival, and Cambuur’s poor start to the season, Feyenoord should be facing a match they are expected to win without too much difficulty.
Prediction
Away Win
Alanyaspor vs Beşiktaş JK
Match Analysis
Beşiktaş have made an excellent start to the season after appointing Vincenzo Italiano as head coach and attracting attention with the signings of Leandro Trossard and Dušan Vlahović. The Black Eagles have won all six of their competitive matches so far and have looked highly motivated on the pitch.
Despite creating plenty of chances in almost every match as a result of their energetic and positive approach, Beşiktaş have occasionally struggled to convert those opportunities. With Vlahović now beginning to feature, however, they should be able to overcome that problem and produce more convincing victories, giving football fans plenty of entertaining matches to enjoy.
A motivated Beşiktaş side that creates plenty of chances and has won six matches in a row should continue its winning run by overcoming Alanyaspor, one of the less formidable sides in the Süper Lig despite having caused problems for Beşiktaş on occasion in the past.
Prediction
Away Win
Elche CF vs FC Barcelona
Match Analysis
The defending champions travel to face Elche, regarded as one of the weaker sides in the league, as clear favorites. Although Barcelona possess a huge advantage in squad quality and the confidence that comes with winning the title last season, they still do not have a true center forward.
Teams playing without a striker who possesses superior finishing ability inside the penalty area can always produce frustrating results. Of course, nobody would be surprised if Barcelona won this match comfortably. They are the overwhelming favorites. However, as mentioned, even teams with excellent squads can struggle to score against well-organized opponents when they lack a natural striker. We saw signs of this problem in some of Barcelona’s preseason matches as well.
If Elche defend well and produce the kind of resilient performance they are capable of when motivated at home, Barcelona could struggle to find the net consistently. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that this match will be relatively low-scoring.
Prediction
Under 4.5 Goals