Europe’s top leagues have returned from their winter break, so what better time to update our Power Rankings.
📈 Power Rankings: Juventus join the ranks, Arsenal up
10. Juventus 
Juventus join the Power Rankings table with the Old Lady in good voice.
The Italians have won eight of their last 10 in all competitions, losing just once, and thrashed Sassuolo 3-0 on Tuesday to climb back into the Champions League places.
Their recent run includes vital wins over fellow top-four hopefuls Bologna and Roma, as
Luciano Spalletti starts to stamp his mark on the squad.
Juventus go FIVE unbeaten in Serie A with a confident victory over Sassuolo 💪🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/KzEiAnVJGq
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) January 6, 2026
9. Porto ⬆️ (last week: 10)
Porto boast a healthy lead in the Primeira Liga, opening up a seven-point advantage over defending champions Sporting Lisbon.
Francesco Farioli’s side returned from the winter break with a 1-0 win at Santa Clara, courtesy of a goal from the in-demand Samu Aghehowa.
Neither the club’s leading scorer or Farioli look likely to leave this month despite speculation, increasing optimism of a season to remember.
8. Manchester City ⬇️ (last week: 3)
Is this the week that Manchester City’s title challenge crumbled? Pep Guardiola’s side have drawn three consecutive games in the Premier League and could be eight points behind Arsenal by this evening.
The Citizens are unbeaten in their last 10, but a hat-trick of dropped points is bad news for their title quest.
Can the imminent signing of Antoine Semenyo lift the side?
7. Aston Villa ⬇️ (last week: 5)
Aston Villa’s club-record winning run is over, though there’s no need to panic for Unai Emery. Villa bounced back with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, before a frustrating goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace.
Even amid that stalemate, Villa sit pretty in third. They’ve opened up a 10-point lead over fifth, with Champions League football on the horizon, barring a remarkable fall off.
6. Paris Saint-Germain (No change)
Paris Saint-Germain earned bragging rights in the French capital on their return from the bench. The first league meeting with Paris FC in over three decades ended in PSG’s favour, as goals from Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele sealed a 2-1 win.
That victory over their neighbours ensued the Ligue 1 champions keep the heat turned up on leaders Lens.
5. Lens ⬆️ (last week: 8)
Lens’ bid to upset the odds in France is showing few signs of slowing down. The winter break has not dented the momentum of the Ligue 1 leaders, who eased past 10-man Toulouse in their first fixture back.
Their lead is just one point from Paris Saint-Germain, so there’s no room for error. For now, however, Lens lead.
Barcelona and Lens start 2026 the same way they ended 2025 – with a big W 😮💨✅
Both sides are comfortably the most in-form sides in Europe’s top 5 leagues, with Barcelona JUST edging it with a +12 GD vs Lens’ +11 😳
The French side are showing no signs of slowing down 📈🏆 pic.twitter.com/OoZEvI88Bw
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) January 5, 2026
4. Real Madrid ⬆️ (last week: 9)
Xabi Alonso has eased some of the pressure on his shoulders as Real Madrid have reeled off four wins on the bounce.
In the absence of Kylian Mbappe at the weekend, Gonzalo Garcia stepped up in style. The 21-year-old became the youngest La Liga player to score a perfect hat-trick this century against Real Betis, in a reminder of his talent.
Next up is a Supercopa de España showdown with Atletico Madrid this evening.
⚽️ Header
⚽️ Right foot
⚽️ Left footGonzalo García scored the perfect hat trick to cap off a 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐜 performance 🤩🤍 pic.twitter.com/2pOTXewp8P
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 4, 2026
3. Bayern Munich ⬇️ (last week: 1)
Bayern Munich fall from the top spot, owing only to their lack of games.
The German champions return to action against Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday, following the mid-season break. Ahead of that clash, Red Bull Salzburg were swatted aside 5-0 in a friendly.
2. Barcelona ⬆️ (last week: 4)
Barcelona burst into the top two after a big week for Hansi Flick’s side.
The Catalans came out on top in the derby against Espanyol last weekend, before a five-star performance in the Supercopa de España. Barcelona thrashed Athletic Bilbao 5-0, leading by four at half-time, with Raphinha on target twice.
1. Arsenal ⬆️ (last week: 2)
Arsenal are ending closer. The Gunners past an acid test in style after ending Aston Villa’s club-record winning run, beating Unai Emery’s side 4-1 at the Emirates on December 30th.
That win was followed by another at Bournemouth, as Declan Rice scored twice in the comeback against the Cherries. With rivals elsewhere dropping points, Arsenal have extended their lead in the title race. A first Premier League crown in 22 years is within reach.
Arsenal’s midfield trio were born only 47 days apart 🤯 pic.twitter.com/s557iPGUgn
— LiveScore (@livescore) January 7, 2026
Read – Iconic Performances: Henry inspires Arsenal to Liverpool comeback
See Also – Midfield Magicians: David Silva – El Mago
