Winning the league title is the ultimate benchmark of a team’s season. The best in the division, a reward for a season of consistency and quality.
Modern football can be accused of being predictable, with wealth often determining title winners. Though, this season, several sides are emerging as well-placed to end title droughts.
Here are four teams aiming to end their respective title droughts this season.
Four teams aiming to end title droughts this season
Arsenal (22 years)
Is this finally the year for Arsenal? The North London side have ended three consecutive campaigns as Premier League runners-up, but are the early frontrunners in the 2025/26 race.
Mikel Arteta has built a formidable side, with the Gunners boasting the best defensive unit in European football. Arsenal have conceded just three goals in 15 games in all competitions, and just one of those has come from open play. The addition of Viktor Gyokeres has added a different dynamic in the frontline, while depth was added in the summer in key areas. Currently on a club-record equalling run of seven straight wins and clean sheets in all competitions, Arsenal, right now, look the team to beat in England.
𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 straight clean sheets for Arsenal 🧱 pic.twitter.com/nP61NdOKZc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 1, 2025
It’s been 22 years since the club’s last title success, achieved in 2003/04 as Arsene Wenger’s invincible side won the Premier League without losing a single game. Few back then would have guessed the wait for another crown would be so long.
Arsenal equal 38-year club record with Burnley win
AS Roma (25 years)
Roma’s rise has continued despite a change in management in the summer. Gian Piero Gasperini has built on the momentum Claudio Ranieri instilled last season, with the capital club impressing in the season’s opening weeks.
Roma are nestled nicely in a congested pack of teams chasing the Scudetto, and boast the best defensive record in Serie A. Goals have proven problematic despite positive results, with I Giallorossi scoring just 10 in nine league fixtures to date.
Gian Piero Gasperini has guided Roma to seven wins in his first nine league games in charge — conceding only four in that time.
They sit level on points with Antonio Conte’s Napoli who top the Serie A table. pic.twitter.com/jyFmwzbrAZ
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 29, 2025
If Gasperini can solve those issues, while retaining defensive strength, Roma could come close in a competitive division. The veteran coach finally getting his hands on the Scudetto would be some story. For Roma, it’s been 25 years since the third of their title wins.
Marseille (16 years)
It looks a gigantic task to finish above Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, but Marseille remain in touching distance of the inconsistent champions.
Just two points separate the teams in the title race, with PSG having shown some flaws in the opening months. The expectation will be that Luis Enrique’s side find their groove, though stranger things have happened.
Monaco (2016/17) and Lille (2020/21) both managed to finish above the capital juggernaut. Can Marseille, last champions in 2010, do so this season?
Hearts (66 years)
If there’s any league mired in predictability, it’s the Scottish Premiership. In 129 years of existence, there have been just 19 occasions that either Celtic or Rangers have not been crowned champions.
The last of which occurred 41 years ago, when Aberdeen won back-to-back titles under an emerging coach called Alex Ferguson. Whatever happened to him?
This season, however, there’s a real chance the Old Firm could be toppled. Hearts have a nine-point advantage at the summit, though champions Celtic have a game in hand. That said, the Edinburgh outfit have already beaten both Glasgow giants and have real momentum under head coach Derek McInnes.
Fifteen league games unbeaten 👊🏻
First hearts goals for the unproven Jamestown Analytics signings from the Estonian & Icelandic league 👀
Nine points clear at the top of the league 🔥
Enjoy your Saturday evening Jambos!
⚽️🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/YfUTA58ATT
— Heart of Midlothian Supporters 🇱🇻 (@heartsfc74) November 1, 2025
Hearts have not won the Scottish Premiership since 1960.
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