Soccer Betting News This Week | MLS, Early Predictions Transfers, Market Watch & Analysis | July 22, 2026
The 2026 World Cup came to close this Sunday, with Spain crowned champions after a dominant performance against Argentina. It was a controlled performance from Spain, who had 60.2% possession, only conceding two shots, both of which came in extra time.
Spain, who were third favourites going into the tournament, were deserved winners, conceding just a single goal across 8 games. Spain also swept up on the props market, with Rodri winning the golden ball, Unai Simon the golden glove, and Pau Cubarsí the young player award.
Kylian Mbappe won the golden boot with 10 goals, making him the all time top world cup scorer with 22 goals, 1 ahead of Lionel Messi.
Ultimately this World Cup will be remembered for Balogun’s red card reversal, and of course Messi’s tears at the end of the final in what will surely be his last World Cup.
With the WC finished for another four years, we turn our attention to the MLS season and the start of the European football calendar.
For more news, market watch & analysis, check out the best soccer sports betting sites around.
MLS latest news
Major League Soccer has returned following its seven-week pause for the 2026 World Cup, with the competition hoping to build on renewed interest following the World Cup.
Nashville SC Lead Eastern Confrence
Strong Return From LAFC
Inter Miami Without Key Stars
Lewandowski On Fire
Major Shakeup
Whilst the play-offs remian unpredictable, Nashville are in a very strong position, and represent great value, currently priced at around +800 to win the MLS Cup with BetNow.
LAFC are currently priced as third favourites to win the MLS Cup at +900.
Despite being temporarly without the Argentine duo, Inter Miami are still the favourites to win the MLS cup, priced at +300.
Chicago Fire are ranked outsiders for the MLS cup, currently priced at +2000.
Larry Berg, David Nathanson and Paraag Marathe are all in the running for the job.
9⃣ players from our World Cup roster are currently back in season with their club teams. Here’s where to follow them. ⤵️
Arfsten – @ColumbusCrew
Berhalter – @WhitecapsFC
Brady – @ChicagoFire
Freese – @newyorkcityfc
Ream – @CharlotteFC
Robinson – @fccincinnati
Roldan -… pic.twitter.com/AXqjZX0YkT— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) July 21, 2026
Early projections for the top five
Whilst the stars of the World Cup enjoy a well earned rest, pre-season is well underway in all of the major leagues. We take a look at who will be in contention for silverware this season.
EPL
- Arsenal +150
Arsenal go into the new campaign as favourites after finally securing a long awaited title last season.
Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping to build on last season's success, and will be looking for new signings in a number of areas, specifically wingers, center midfields and potentially a new striker.
Arteta is now the longest serving manager in the Premier League. It’s this stability, particularly compared to the rest of the league, which puts the gunners in a great position to retain the title.
- Manchester City +275
It’s a new era in Manchester, with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca taking over from Pep Guardiola. It’s been two years since City last won the league, with last term seen as a rebuilding season for City. Enzo will be hoping that he can return City to the top of the league.
It’s still unclear how City will set up this term, but if the World Cup is anything to go by, Golden Ball winner Rodri should dominate the league this year.
- Liverpool +500
Liverpool decided to part ways with Arne Slot, just two years into his term, having won the title in his first year. They have opted for proven Premier League experience in his absence, with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola now in charge.
Iraola was probably the world most in demand manager, and with a squad packed full of talent, it should be an interesting season for Liverpool.
- Manchester United +600
United ended last season in great form, so good that they opted to offer interim manager Micheal Carrick the job full time.
The squad lacks both depth and star quality, and a lack of board room coherence continues to affect performance on the pitch. But Manchester United are still one of the biggest clubs in the World. It’s only a matter of time before the sleeping giant is awoken. Maybe this is that year.
- Chelsea +1000
Highly rated manager Xabi Alonso arrives at Chelsea hoping to finally make good on an extremely talented squad. In a similar situation to Manchester United, Chelsea have suffered from board room mismanagement over the past couple years.
Early indications suggest Alonso has been given assurances from the board that he will have the power to make recruitment decisions without interference. If this is to be believed, then Chelsea have every chance of challenging this year.
Ligue 1
- PSG -800
Over in France, the two time Champions League winners remain the only realistic option for the title.
They have won the last five league championships in a row, and are regarded as the best team in Europe.
The gap between PSG and the nearest competitors (Marseille, Lens, Lille, Lyon) is simply to big. It would take a brave punter to bet against PSG winning there sixth title in a row.
La Liga
- Barcelona -138
Barcelona will be hoping to retain the title for a third year on the bounce, and go into the season as slight favourites.
The squad is full of exciting prospects, but could do with some experience. Question marks remain as to whether they will be able to make any key signings as the club continues to experience financial problems. That said, they have already signed English talent Antony Gordon from Newcastle at a cost of over 80 millions euros.
- Real Madrid +130
Real have now gone two seasons without winning the title. In a bid to change that, they have hired veteran manager Jose Mourinho for his second stint in charge at Madrid. It’s a risky move, with Mourinho long considered past his prime. Either way, expect fireworks.
The squad itself is still packed full of talent. If they can get a tune out of Mbappe, Bellingham and Vini Jr then they will surely challenge. That said, it’s in defense where they have struggled in the last two seasons. Mourinho will surely be seeking to make additions here.
- Atletico +1600
Outside of the top two, Atletico remain the only realistic challenger. Diego Simeone takes charge for his 15th season, and will yet again be hoping he can upset the traditional heavyweights.
Serie A
- Inter +100
Inter have established themselves as the most consistent team in Serie A over the last few years, winning two of the last three. They enter the season as firm favourites.
The squad has a good blend of experience and youth, with Thuram and Martinez in attack and Barella in midfield all solid options with Serie A winning experience. Expect them to challenge once again.
- Juventus +500
Juve will be hoping this is the year they can finally return to the summit of Italian football.
They have endured a torrid couple of years, with boardroom changes and mismanagement making it hard for them to challenge in any serious way.
The squad is still decent enough, and with creative players like Kenan Yildiz, Jonathan David, Loïs Openda and Dusan Vlahovic, they will always score goals.
- Napoli +450
Napoli remain as unpredictable as ever. They could be great, they could be bad.
At their best, they are one of the most exciting football teams in the league, but have been dogged by a lack of consistency. Again, changes behind the scenes have not helped.
That said, the squad is still stacked with talent. Kevin De Bruyne is still a world class talent on his day, backed up by the trio of Scott McTominay, Stanislav Lobotka and Frank Anguissa.
- Milan +500
Milan enter the season hoping to close the gap on city rivals Inter.
Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku provide attacking quality, while Gonçalo Ramos and Santiago Gimenez offer options up front.
They will be hoping for strong seasons from keeper Mike Maignan, alongside Fikayo Tomori and Mario Gila in defense.
Bundesliga
- Bayern Munich -900
It’s hard to see past Bayern Munich winning their third title in a row.
They have the strongest squad in the league, the biggest budget and more experience of winning titles than any of their competitors.
Harry Kane remains the most reliable goalscorer in the league, while Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz give Bayern an almost unfair amount of attacking quality. Joshua Kimmich will continue to control games from midfield, with Alphonso Davies providing pace from the left-hand side.
- Borussia Dortmund +1100
Dortmund are once again the only realistic challenger to Bayern’s crown.
They have no shortage of talented young players, and are capable of beating any team in Europe on their day. But as ever, the biggest problem will be consistency. Let’s hope they can make the Bundesliga interesting this year.
A special summer for our Gunners 🌟
Dive into the key stats from our World Cup stars 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 21, 2026
Latest transfer news
Completed transfers
Elliot Anderson - Nottingham Forest to Manchester City
Manchester City agreed a British-record £116 million deal for Elliot Anderson. The England midfielder arrives as one of the most expensive players in Premier League history and will be expected to become a central part of Enzo Maresca’s new look City midfield.
Sandro Tonali - Newcastle to Tottenham
Tottenham have completed the signing of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for an initial £92.5 million. The opportunity to work under Roberto De Zerbi appears to have played a major role in his decision, with several major clubs after his signature.
Jérémy Jacquet - Rennes to Liverpool
Liverpool have signed highly rated French defender Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes in a deal worth up to £60 million. The 20-year-old arrives following Ibrahima Konaté’s departure and could eventually become the long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
Morgan Rogers - Aston Villa to Chelsea
Chelsea have agreed a British-record £117 million move for Morgan Rogers.
Rumoured transfers
Julián Álvarez - Atlético Madrid to Barcelona or Arsenal
Julián Álvarez could be at the centre of one of the summer’s biggest transfer battles. Arsenal remain interested in the Atlético Madrid striker, but Barcelona appear to be his preferred destination. Atlético do not want to sell, meaning it could take a huge offer to complete the deal.
Bradley Barcola - PSG to Liverpool or Arsenal
Liverpool and Arsenal are both considering moves for Bradley Barcola. The PSG winger has two years remaining on his contract and could be allowed to leave for the right price, although neither Premier League club appears to have reached an agreement with PSG.
Rodri - Manchester City to Real Madrid
Rodri could be at the centre of another major transfer story following his impressive World Cup. Real Madrid are interested in the Manchester City midfielder, who has entered the final year of his contract. City remain keen to agree a new deal, but Rodri is expected to discuss his future following the tournament.
Enzo Fernández - Chelsea to Real Madrid
Enzo Fernández continues to be linked with a move from Chelsea to Real Madrid. The midfielder’s future has been the subject of growing speculation, although Madrid have taken the unusual step of publicly denying their interest. Chelsea would also demand a huge fee, making a deal difficult to complete.
🚨🔵 Morgan Rogers has signed his six year contract as new Chelsea player! £117m move from Aston Villa, completed.
The agreement includes an option to extend the contract until June 2033.#CFC pay £117m fixed fee without any add-ons to Villa. pic.twitter.com/VLFUdyx1Hl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2026
Previous market updates
- [July, 2026]: England bow out to the holders, who face a final vs Spain.
- [July, 2026]: England through to the semi finals of the World Cup.
- [July, 2026]: England through to quarter finals of the World Cup.
- [July, 2026]: Spain through to last 16 of the World Cup.
- [June, 2026]: Ecuador qualify for the knockout phase of the World Cup.
- [June, 2026]: USMNT qualify for the knockout phase of the World Cup.
- [June, 2026]: USMNT kicked off the World Cup with a 4-1 win against Paraguay.
- [June, 2026]: Spain are favourites to win the World Cup.
- [May 28, 2026]: PSG edged into slight favouritism for the Champions League final in Budapest, with Arsenal still close behind.
- [May 27, 2026]: England's World Cup squad announcement caused a stir after several big-name omissions, while they remained among the main contenders.
- [May 25, 2026]: Spain stayed near the top of the World Cup outright market despite injury concerns around key players.
- [May 22, 2026]: Norway gained traction as a popular dark horse ahead of the World Cup, led by Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard.
- [April 15, 2026]: Arsenal entered the Champions League quarter-final market as +225 favourites.
- [Early February 2026]: Arsenal moved to -500 favourites to win the Premier League following a dominant winter run.
- [December 2025]: Arsenal slipped to -145 in the title market after a rash of injuries disrupted their momentum.
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