This week’s Power Rankings see the biggest clubs in Europe trade places.
10. Bodo/Glimt 🆕
Last week: N/A
It’s time we take Bodo/Glimt seriously. The Norwegian outfit just picked up arguably the biggest win in the club’s history, beating Inter Milan 3-1 at home in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs.
It could be written off as a lucky one-off win at a venue, in the Arctic Circle, that no opponent likes to frequent, but that would be terribly unfair to the appropriately nicknamed Super Team.
Glimt, who missed out on the Eliteserien title last November by a single point, have now drawn with Borussia Dortmund and beaten Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in their last three competitive matches.
9. Chelsea 🆕
Last week: N/A
We’re still trying to figure out if Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea are the real deal, but you can’t really argue with the results. Since replacing Enzo Maresca last month, they have won nine games, with their only defeats coming against Arsenal in the League Cup semi-finals. They also currently lead the Premier League in expected goals (50.32xG).
The Blues have had an easy schedule, but after they face Burnley this weekend, they take on Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle in the league. That run of games should tell us a lot more about their credentials.
8. Inter Milan ↔️
Last week: 8th
A huge 3-2 win over fierce rivals Juventus was followed up by that shock defeat away to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.
Inter may have consolidated their place at the top of Serie A, but they are now in serious danger of exiting Europe early, less than a year after reaching the final. They should have enough about them to mount a comeback at the San Siro next week, but losing in such fashion to relative minnows raises questions marks about the side’s quality.
7. Barcelona ⬇️
Last week: 3rd
It’s been a very bad week for Barcelona. They are effectively out of the Copa Del Rey after losing the semi-final first leg 4-0 to Atletico Madrid before losing first place in LaLiga thanks to a 2-1 defeat to Girona, who are 12th in the table.
Hansi Flick’s high-risk high line strategy looks to have run out of road. It might be time for a change.
6. Lyon ⬆️
Last week: 7th
There are two French teams in our top 10 this week and neither of them are Paris Saint-Germain. Lyon may be six points behind PSG in the Ligue 1 standings, but their form in 2026 has been so much more impressive.
Les Gones are not only undefeated this calendar year, they have not dropped a single point since losing to Lorient on 7th December, winning 13 straight games in all competitions.
5. RC Lens ↔️
Last week: 5th
Incroyable. Lens took full advantage of PSG’s shock 3-1 defeat to Rennes on Friday by smashing Paris FC 5-0 the following day, sending them to the top of the Ligue 1 table. They have lost just once since the beginning of November, winning 14 matches in all competitions in that period.
4. Real Madrid ⬇️
Last week: 6th
Real Madrid’s first leg win over Benfica in the Champions League was overshadowed by alleged racist abuse towards Vinicius Junior, but they do have one foot in the next round thanks to the Brazilian’s goal in Lisbon.
Los Blancos also returned to the top of the LaLiga table thanks to a dominant 4-1 win over Real Sociedad last weekend. Their haven’t lost in the league since 7th December.
3. Man City ↔️
Last week: 3rd
A routine win over Salford City in the FA Cup means that Manchester City are still in contention for the Quadruple, while their odds in the Premier League title race improved despite not playing.
2. Arsenal ⬇️
Last week: 1st
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have never met a title race they didn’t bottle. The Gunners have had every opportunity to run away with the Premier League this season, yet they keep stepping on rakes.
This Wednesday they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with lowly Wolves at Molineux. It’s the first time the league leaders have done so against the team at the bottom.
Arsenal are still by all measures the best team in the English top flight, but
1. Bayern Munich ⬆️
Last week: 2nd
While Arsenal are sputtering, Bayern Munich continue to motor along nicely. Vincent Kompany’s men beat relegation-threatened Werder Bremen 3-0 on Saturday to maintain their three-point lead in the Bundesliga.
Iconic Duos – Chelsea’s impregnable pairing made of steel and silk, Terry and Carvalho
See Also – Chelsea defender cites Liverpool duo as role models
