Analysis of the Most Outstanding Football Teams in Europe
During most of the 2025-26 season, two teams have consistently excelled in European football. Arsenal and Bayern Munich led the Champions League group stage, with Arsenal achieving a perfect score of 24 points and Bayern dropping points only against Arsenal. Furthermore, both teams have dominated their respective domestic leagues since the beginning.
These two clubs have set a standard this season. However, as the final stretch approaches, the question is whether they are still the best teams in Europe. While they are among the best, they are not alone at the top.
To evaluate the recent performance of the teams, the “adjusted goal difference” is used, which combines the goal difference and the xG difference in 11-a-side situations. This analysis reveals the most outstanding teams in the five major European leagues since January 5th.
Here are the 16 most in-form teams:
- 1. Barcelona (Last time: 8)
Last two months: 13 games, 30 points (2.31 PPG), +1.65 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Athletic Club (March 7), Newcastle (Champions League, March 10), Sevilla (March 15), Newcastle (Champions League, March 18), Rayo Vallecano (March 22), Atlético Madrid (April 5).
Barcelona has shown an incredibly high level of play, despite bad luck in finishing. The team has won six games by three goals and another three by two goals.
Hansi Flick is a coach who favors a possession-based game and a high defensive line, which forces opponents to play directly or lose the ball quickly. Lamine Yamal has been a revelation, excelling in goals and chance creation.
Next month will be a challenge for Barcelona, facing high-level teams. To keep alive the hopes of winning La Liga and the Champions League, they will need to perform at their best.
- 2. Bayern Munich (Last time: 1)
Last two months: 12 games, 31 points (2.58 PPG), +1.32 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Borussia Monchengladbach (March 6), Atalanta (Champions League, March 10), Bayer Leverkusen (March 14), Atalanta (Champions League, March 18), Union Berlin (March 21), Freiburg (April 4).
Bayern Munich, despite showing some instability, remains at the top of the list. Harry Kane has been fundamental in the attack, and the team continues to demonstrate its quality.
- 3. Paris Saint-Germain (Last time: 6)
Last two months: 12 games, 26 points (2.17 PPG), +1.20 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Monaco (March 6), Chelsea (Champions League, March 11), Nantes (March 15), Chelsea (Champions League, March 17), Nice (March 22), Toulouse (April 5).
The PSG has not yet reached its best level, but the quality of the team continues to improve. With a stable lineup, PSG could repeat the success in the Champions League.
- 4. Liverpool (Last time: not classified)
Last two months: 12 matches, 21 points (1.75 PPG), +1.05 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Wolves (FA Cup, March 6), Galatasaray (Champions League, March 10), Tottenham Hotspur (March 15), Galatasaray (Champions League, March 18), Brighton (March 21).
Despite some defeats, Liverpool has proven to be a competitive team with potential for the Champions League.
Last two months: 7 matches, 13 points (1.86 PPG), +1.05 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Lyon (Coupe de France, March 5), Metz (March 8), Lorient (March 15), Angers (March 22), Lille (April 5).
Despite the difficulties in Ligue 1, Lens remains a prominent team. With key players like Adrien Thomasson and Florian Thauvin, Lens could return to the Champions League.
- 6. Inter Milan (Last time: 7)
Last two months: 17 games, 38 points (2.24 PPG), +1.03 adjusted goal differential.
Upcoming matches: AC Milan (March 8), Atalanta (March 14), Fiorentina (March 22), Roma (April 4).
The Inter has dominated Serie A, showing an exceptional performance in the national league.
- 7. Arsenal (Last time: 2)
Last two months: 14 games, 31 points (2.21 PPG), +1.01 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Mansfield (FA Cup, March 7), Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League, March 11), Everton (March 14), Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League, March 17), Manchester City (League Cup Final, March 22).
Arsenal remains one of the best teams in Europe, with a high percentage of winning the Premier League and a good chance of winning the Champions League.
- 8. VfB Stuttgart (Last time: 26)
Last two months: 14 games, 29 points (2.07 PPG), +1.00 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Mainz (March 7), Porto (Europa League, March 12), RB Leipzig (March 15), Porto (Europa League, March 19), Augsburg (March 22), Borussia Dortmund (April 4).
The Stuttgart stands out for its attack, scoring many goals in its matches.
- 9. AS Roma (Last time: 29)
Last two months: 12 games, 22 points (1.83 PPG), +0.94 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Genoa (March 8), Bologna (Europa League, March 12), Como (March 15), Bologna (Europa League, March 19), Lecce (March 22), Inter Milan (April 4).
Roma is one of the most prominent teams in Italy, showing good performance in Serie A. The arrival of Donyell Malen has strengthened the attack.
- 10. Hoffenheim (Last time: not qualified)
Last two months: 9 games, 19 points (2.11 PPG), +0.93 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Heidenheim (March 7), Wolfsburg (March 14), RB Leipzig (March 20), Mainz (April 4).
Hoffenheim is in a promising position in the Bundesliga, threatening to achieve its second Champions League qualification.
- 11. As (last time: unclassified)
Last two months: 13 games, 23 points (1.77 PPG), +0.89 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Cagliari (March 7), Roma (March 15), Pisa (March 22), Udinese (April 4).
Como is close to securing a place in European competitions and could even aim for the Champions League.
- 12. Chelsea (Last time: 13)
Last two months: 14 matches, 24 points (1.71 PPG), +0.87 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Wrexham (FA Cup, March 7), PSG (Champions League, March 11), Newcastle (March 14), PSG (Champions League, March 17), Everton (March 21).
Chelsea has shown good performance, and with players like João Pedro and Cole Palmer, they have the potential to compete in important tournaments, starting with PSG in the Champions League.
- 13. Real Madrid (Last time: 10)
Last two months: 13 games, 27 points (2.08 PPG), +0.87 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Celta Vigo (March 6), Manchester City (Champions League, March 11), Elche (March 14), Manchester City (Champions League, March 17), Atlético Madrid (March 22), Mallorca (April 5).
Real Madrid has had some recent problems, but it still maintains a decent position in the table.
- 14. AC Milan (Last time: not classified)
Last two months: 10 matches, 19 points (1.90 PPG), +0.80 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Inter Milan (March 8), Lazio (March 15), Torino (March 21), Napoli (April 4).
Milan has secured a place in next year’s Champions League and is showing a good performance in Serie A.
- 15. Juventus (Last time: 4)
Last two months: 14 games, 21 points (1.50 PPG), +0.79 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Pisa (March 7), Udinese (March 14), Sassuolo (March 21), Genoa (April 4).
Juventus has shown an irregular performance, with brilliant moments and others less favorable.
- 16. Celta Vigo (Last time: not classified)
Last two months: 12 games, 24 points (2.00 PPG), +0.73 adjusted goal difference.
Upcoming matches: Real Madrid (March 6), Lyon (Europa League, March 12), Real Betis (March 15), Lyon (Europa League, March 19), Deportivo Alaves (March 22), Valencia (April 5).
Celta Vigo has had a great performance, and is currently in a good position in LaLiga and has advanced to the round of 16 of the Europa League.
