Serie A power rankings April 2026: Best teams ranked by actual quality

The Inter Milan sit top of Serie A with 72 points, but the real powerhouse this season isn’t leading the table — it’s Juventus, who quietly dominate in xG, chance creation, and midfield control despite sitting third. While the Nerazzurri rely on gritty clean sheets, Allegri’s men are outperforming them in every underlying metric.

• Juventus lead Serie A in xG (2.31 per game) despite being third in the table.
• Nicolò Zaniolo has reignited his career at Roma, scoring 12 goals and providing 7 assists.
• Frosinone and Empoli are overachieving — their xG numbers suggest regression is coming.
• AC Milan are underperforming badly — their attack generates 2.1 xG per game but conversion is abysmal.
• Hellas Verona have the worst xGA in the league and are almost certain to be relegated.

The Genuine Title Contenders

On paper, the title race is a three-horse battle between Inter Milan, Juventus, and Napoli. Inter have been the model of consistency, conceding just 29 goals in 31 matches and relying on Lautaro Martínez’s clinical finishing (21 goals). But their underlying stats tell a different story: their xG of 1.85 per game is well below Juventus’ 2.31, and they’ve won several matches by narrow margins thanks to individual brilliance rather than systemic dominance.

Juventus, meanwhile, have re-emerged as Italy’s most complete side. The return of Dusan Vlahović to form (17 goals) and the seamless integration of Arthur Melo as a deep-lying playmaker have transformed their midfield. Analysts suggest that if not for defensive lapses — particularly in the absence of Leonardo Bonucci — they would already be top. Napoli remain dangerous, especially with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia orchestrating attacks, but their poor defensive record (third-worst xGA among top-six teams) makes them unreliable over a full season.

The Overachievers Who Will Come Back to Earth

Frosinone have shocked Italy with their 9th-place position, built on a foundation of tight 1-0 and 2-1 home wins. But their underlying numbers are alarming: they rank among the lowest in xG in the top 10 and rely heavily on set-pieces and defensive discipline. With a brutal run-in — including trips to Atalanta, Napoli, and AC Milan — regression looms.

Similarly, Empoli sit 11th thanks to a few surprise results, but their defensive fragility is evident. They’ve faced the second-most shots on target outside the bottom three and have consistently underperformed in expected goals against. Experts believe they’re living on borrowed time and could easily slip into the relegation battle despite their current mid-table comfort.

The Underachievers With More Quality Than Their Position Suggests

AC Milan are the biggest puzzle. With a front line featuring Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic, and Samu Chukwueze, they generate 2.1 xG per game — better than Napoli. Yet they’ve converted only 68% of their clear chances, the worst rate in the top eight. Defensive errors from Fikayo Tomori and Davide Calabria have also cost them dearly. Their quality suggests a top-five finish, but poor execution keeps them down.

Fiorentina are another team punching below their weight. Despite financial constraints, their fluid 4-3-3 under Vincenzo Italiano produces more high-quality chances than Lazio or Roma. Riccardo Sottil and Nicolás González have formed a dynamic duo, but a lack of depth and composure in key moments has limited their progress.

Relegation Zone: Who Is Really in Trouble?

Salernitana are all but gone, 12 points from safety with six games left. But the real battle is between Cagliari and Lecce, separated by just one point. Cagliari have improved under Clarence Seedorf but still have one of the worst xG-against records. Lecce, while defensively solid, lack any real attacking threat — they have the third-lowest xG in the league.

The most concerning case is Hellas Verona. Despite a few surprise wins, they’ve conceded the most expected goals in Serie A and face an average of 15 shots per game. Their lack of technical quality makes escapes rare, and bookmakers give them an 85% chance of relegation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the best team in the Serie A?

A: Based on performance metrics, Juventus are the best team in Serie A as of April 2026. They lead the league in xG, chance creation, and midfield control, despite sitting third in the table. Their blend of tactical discipline and attacking firepower makes them the most complete side.

Q: Who will win the Serie A this year?

A: The title race is between Juventus and Inter Milan. Inter lead the table and have been defensively solid, but Juventus are outperforming them in almost every statistical category. With six games remaining and a direct clash possibly deciding the outcome, it’s too close to call — but Juventus have the momentum.

Q: Which Serie A team is the most improved?

A: Atalanta stand out as the most improved team. Despite losing Teun Koopmeiners and facing squad rotation issues, they’ve maintained a top-tier attack through youth integration and tactical flexibility. Players like Giuseppe Scalvini and Luca Scapuzzi have stepped up, keeping them in contention for Champions League football.