As the most popular European football leagues approach the end of their seasons, fans and bettors may wonder how to fill the football void during the summer. However, fear not, as the beautiful game continues with a selection of major leagues worth following and betting on. Explore these captivating football competitions that provide action-packed matches even when the renowned “big 5” leagues are on hiatus.
Allsvenskan (Sweden)
The first match in Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top-flight football league, was played in 1924, which makes it 99 years old this year – one of the longest-running leagues in Europe. Allsvenskan is currently 22nd (out of 55) in UEFA’s top list of European leagues, and the third biggest in Scandinavia.
The Swedish football season debuts in late March and ends in early November each year, making it a perfect choice to follow throughout the summer, when most others are on hiatus.
Teams to Watch
If you want to place a sports bet on the matches of Allsvenskan, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for AIK, IFK Göteborg, and Malmö FF, the “Big 3”. Although this year, only one of the three is in a position to qualify for European competitions (Malmö), with IF Elfsborg and BK BK Häcken close behind.
Players to Watch
Some of the best-performing players in this year’s Allsvenskan season are Malmö midfielder, Isaac Kiese Thelin, tied for the top scorer position (so far) with Häcken’s Bénie Traoré, and Elfsborg’s Jacob Ondrejka who has the most goals and assists (so far) in the season.
Eliteserien (Norway)
Norway’s Eliteserien is another major Nordic football league with a season that continues throughout the summer. It’s been around for 86 years, and it has a UEFA coefficient of 16 out of 55. The league currently has 16 teams.
Since the league’s inception, 17 clubs have won the title. Rosenborg leads detached with 26 titles under its belt.
Teams to Watch
Bodø/Glimt has only won two Eliteserien titles (in 2020 and 2021), and it may well be headed for a third. While there are still enough matches to play, its lead is pretty large – but Viking (8-time winner) is pretty close behind, tied with Brann in the standings.
Players to Watch
Bodø/Glimt left winger Amahl Pellegrino has the most goals, and the most assists in the season so far, followed by Lillestrøm’s Akor Adams and Brann’s Bård Finne, with 7 each – they are expected to (hopefully) continue performing well throughout the season.
Major League Soccer
While the United States is generally not considered a major football nation, it did show a great performance at last year’s FIFA World Cup, and it has many major players, so it’s a league to watch. This is especially true because its season runs from Match to October, giving us matches to watch and to bet on throughout the summer.
The MLS is one of the youngest top-flight football leagues, being established in 1993. It has 26 US and 3 Canadian teams that fight to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.
Teams to Watch
FC Cincinnati is currently in the lead of the Eastern Conference, followed by the New England Revolution, while in the West, the current top 3 consists of the Seattle Sounders, LAFC, and FC Dallas, with just one point of difference between each.
Players to Watch
LAFC’s Denis Bouanga is the league’s top scorer so far, with 10 goals scored, followed by FC Dallas’ Jesus Ferreira with 8. Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada provided the most assists so far. And the most active player in the league is Inter Miami’s Shanyder Borgelin, with 8.4 shots (4.6 shots on target) per 90 minutes of play – the 21-year-old is certainly one of the MLS players to watch this season.
Final words
When the most popular European football leagues go on hiatus during the summer, football enthusiasts need not despair. There are several exciting leagues to follow and bet on, offering captivating matches and thrilling action throughout the summer months. From the historical legacy of Allsvenskan and Eliteserien to the rising prominence of MLS, each league presents its own unique blend of talent, teams to watch, and players to keep an eye on. So, don’t let the summer break dampen your football enthusiasm – explore these thrilling football leagues and continue enjoying the most beautiful game in the world.
