Bill Connelly makes bold predictions each season, and he's often right. Last year, he correctly predicted Arsenal's Premier League title, Bayer Leverkusen's top-four failure, and Rangers finishing outside Scotland's top two. Now, based on a few matchdays, he offers eight new bold takes for 2026-27.

First, Michael Olise will win the 2027 Ballon d'Or. After a stunning season with 25 goals and 28 assists, plus seven assists in the World Cup, Olise has continued his brilliance for Bayern Munich. He scored and assisted in the Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund and dominated in a 5-1 rout of Stuttgart. He's now a top-five player globally in passing, chance creation, and ground duels.

Second, Brentford will qualify for the Champions League. While many expect the usual giants, Connelly sees the Bees surging. With a strong squad and early-season momentum, they could break into the top four. This would be a historic achievement for the club.

Other predictions include surprises in La Liga, Bundesliga, and beyond. Connelly admits these are based on tiny sample sizes, but that's the fun. Last year's 50% success rate shows his bold swings often connect.