Serie A 2025-26 preview: Title favourites, new managers, rising stars and relegation battles

As Serie A returns with its trademark blend of tactical flair, emerging stars, and managerial reshuffles, the stakes have never been higher. 

Napoli defend a title that signalled their re-emergence, while Roma’s bold hiring of Gian Piero Gasperini promises rejuvenation. 

Throw in fresh faces, managerial masterstrokes, and the inevitable drama of promotion and relegation, and we’ve got a season primed for intrigue.

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Last season at a glance

Napoli clinched the 2024-25 Scudetto in a dramatic finale, narrowly edging out Inter with a 2-0 win over Cagliari on the final day. 

It marked their fourth title overall and second in three years under Antonio Conte, who became the first manager to win Serie A with three different clubs. 

Scott McTominay, hugely influential throughout, earned MVP honours, while Romelu Lukaku also added significant firepower.

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How the promoted teams will fare

While the exact list isn’t available yet, historically newly-promoted sides tend to face an uphill battle to avoid relegation. 

Clubs with strong managerial appointments and reinforcements can survive — but survival remains the immediate goal for most.

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Title favourites and betting odds 

• Napoli stand as the clear favourites to repeat.
• Last season’s runners up Inter Milan are 3/1.
• Juventus are 11/2 and Milan are 6/1. 
• AS Roma, under new boss Gian Piero Gasperini, are seen as strong challengers — with ante-post title odds at 12/1.
• While Atalanta under Juric are 33/1, Lazio with Sarri back at the helm are 50/1 and Pioli’s Fiorentina are 70/1.

Serie A — Top 4 Finish (Oddschecker)

• Napoli: 3/13
• Inter Milan: 1/3
• Juventus: 4/7
• AC Milan: 4/6 

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Capocannoniere

In Italy’s Serie A, the top goalscorer award is known as the capocannoniere, which is now officially called the Paolo Rossi Award. 

The award is given by the Italian Footballers’ Association to the player who scores the most goals in a single Serie A season. 

The current holder is Mateo Retegui, who scored 25 goals for Atalanta in the 2024-25 season.

The Bergamo side will have to do without Retegui as he moved to Al Qadsiah FC during the transfer window.

Based on current betting markets:

• Lautaro Martínez (Inter) – 24 league goals last season – 9/2
• Moise Kean (Fiorentina) – 19 goals – 11/2
• Jonathan David (Juventus) – yet to play in Serie A – 7/1
• Others: Marcus Thuram, Vlahović, Lukaku, Ademola Lookman, and Evan Ferguson (Roma) round out the list with odds ranging from 12/1 to 20/1.

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Players to Watch

• Jonathan David (Juventus) — high expectations on his Serie A debut.
• Evan Ferguson (Roma) — another homegrown striker with potential, reinvigorated by Gasperini’s arrival.
• Moise Kean — Fiorentina’s attacking spearhead.
• Serie A veterans like Martínez, Vlahović, and Lukaku also remain pivotal.

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Managerial changes

Notable managerial changes:

• Roma: Hired Gian Piero Gasperini from Atalanta.
• Atalanta: Appointed Ivan Jurić, Gasperini’s protégé.
• AC Milan: Brought back Massimiliano Allegri.
• Lazio: Rehired Maurizio Sarri.
• Fiorentina: Stefano Pioli returns.
• Como: Retained Cesc Fàbregas as manager amid ambitious backing.
• Parma: Carlos Cuesta becomes the youngest Serie A manager ever.

These shifts heighten tactical intrigue across the league.

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Atalanta without Gasperini

Gian Piero Gasperini leaves behind a stunning legacy at Atalanta, including their first Europa League trophy in 2023–24 and sustained Champions League campaigns. 

With Ivan Jurić taking over, retaining the high-octane, offensive identity Jurić developed at Verona will be crucial to stability this season.

Unsurprisingly after disappointing spells at Roma and Southampton people feel that Atalanta are in for a hard season!

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Relegation watch

Promoted teams generally go into the season with the weakest odds. 

We can flag traditional bottom-half sides and newcomers as candidates for relegation — Experience and squad depth might be the defining factors in survival.

Unfortunately it is highly likely the three promoted teams could go straight back down – Sassuolo are the most likely to survive with Lecce and Hellas Verona could struggle this season.

Relegation odds

• Cremonese: 5/6
• Pisa: 1/1
• Verona: 28/17
• Sassuolo: 2/1 

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Here’s an updated projection for the 2025–26 Serie A season, taking into account:

• Atalanta expected to struggle with transitional issues after Gasperini’s departure.
• Lazio expected higher as they focus on domestic stability without worrying about Europe.
• Como still benefits from their wealthy ownership.

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Predicted Serie A 2025–26 Standings

1. Napoli
2. Inter Milan
3. Juventus
4. AC Milan
5. Roma
6. Lazio
7. Fiorentina
8. Como
9. Bologna
10. Torino
11. Genoa
12. Atalanta
13. Sassuolo
14. Hellas Verona
15. Cagliari
16. Parma
17. Udinese
18. Lecce
19. Pisa
20. Cremonese

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Key Insights

• Napoli: Favoured to retain the Scudetto with top talents like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku under Antonio Conte.
• Inter Milan: Strong title contender with tactical depth.
• Juventus: Likely to finish top-three with squad revamp under Igor Tudor.
• AC Milan: Focused on top-four, defending under Allegri.
• Roma: Young attacking talents and Gasperini’s system should secure European contention.
• Lazio: Higher finish expected due to domestic focus and stability, avoiding European fatigue.
• Fiorentina: Targets European qualification, capitalizing on prior near-misses.
• Como: Wealthy ownership and investment boost them into the top-half.
• Atalanta: Lower finish anticipated during transition under Ivan Juric post-Gasperini.
• Bottom six: Cagliari, Hellas Verona, Udinese, and Cremonese remain in relegation danger.

Conclusion

Serie A 2025–26 emerges as a compelling tale of continuity and reinvention. Napoli aim to extend their renaissance, while Roma hope Gasperini’s tactical spark can lift them back into title reckoning. 

Juve, Inter, AC Milan, and surprise contenders like Lazio and Fiorentina are all in the mix.

Managerial upheavals and emerging talents further deepen the intrigue. With relegation battles brewing in the background and golden boot races heating up, this season promises a rich canvas of Italian football drama ahead.