Kompas Journalist Predictions: Alternative BRI Super League Champion Candidates and PSBS' Chances of Relegation

The BRI Super League has begun. The first week of matches has proven to be a source of entertainment for national football fans.

The title race is certainly a hot topic. Five journalists from Kompas Daily (Kompas.id) predict the 2025-2026 Super League season.

In addition to discussing predictions for potential champions, we also consider teams that have the opportunity to compete at the top, teams that will be busy fighting to avoid relegation, as well as local players who have the potential to shine brightly throughout the upcoming season.

Not to be missed, we also discussed the prospects of two representatives from Indonesia in the Asian club competition; Persib Bandung in the AFC Champions League and Dewa United in the AFC Cup. They are Indonesia's hopes to increase the coefficient points in the rankings of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions.

Here are a number of predictions from Kompas journalists about the progress of the Super League this season.

Who's the champion? Why are they favored?

M Ikhsan Mahar (SAN): Malut United. Enough of the Java-centric approach of two consecutive seasons in the Indonesian League. It's time for the powerhouse from the east to show its mettle in the inaugural edition, titled the BRI Liga Super (Super League). Malut has everything it takes to claim their first title. Despite their victory in the opening game at Dewa United's home ground, the "Laskar Kie Raha" game plan is well-thought-out. The presence of four former Persib Bandung players further enhances the pragmatic style of play that led them to third place last season. Toma!

I Gusti Agung Bagus Angga Putra (IGA): Persija Jakarta. The “Tigers of Kemayoran” are worthy contenders for the title this season. Their aggressive transfer market moves, bringing in many Brazilian players, are a sign of the management's seriousness in reclaiming the league trophy that Persija last won in 2018. The presence of Sousa and Gustavo Franca, who have extensive experience in the Brazilian League, promises balance in midfield. Persija's new captain, Mauricio Souza, brings a distinctive Brazilian progressive style of play, with ball possession, high pressing, and efficiency in finishing.

Persib Bandung. Yes, the "Blue Prince" will be champions again this season. They have the strong potential to make that happen.

Rebbiyah Salasah (REB): Persib Bandung. Yes, the “Blue Prince” will be champions again this season. They have the strong capital to make that happen. The success of winning the league in two consecutive seasons is undeniably their main capital facing the new season. The team coached by Bojan Hodak has high confidence plus the ambition to win the league trophy for the sixth time and establish themselves as the first team in the history of Indonesian professional competition to win three consecutive seasons. The team's solidity is starting to be seen even though Persib has overhauled its champion squad. The depth of this squad will support Persib's ambitions. New foreign player from Brazil, William Marcilio, for example, has shown promising performance. Replacing Tyronne del Pino who moved to Malut United, Marcilio is able to add color to the “Maung Bandung” midfield.

Ambrosius Harto Manumoyoso (BRO): Persib Bandung. The status of defending champions in the last two editions of Liga 1 and the new identity of the Super League makes Persib ambitious to score a hat trick. This ambition gives Persib a strong champion mentality. Under Bojan Hodak, Persib has a well-rounded squad in all positions with a balanced combination of foreign and local players. Player rotation can be carried out with predictions without reducing the strength and quality of the team's play in a busy competition schedule. Moreover, Persib is also participating in the Asian Champions League Two. Even and balanced strength is a necessity. For this reason, Persib is aggressively buying and selling players. This season, Persib brought in 12 new players, the equivalent of one new team. Persib also has a fanatical and loyal fan base, Bobotoh, throughout Indonesia and abroad. Non-technical support remains a factor that strengthens the club's existence and is linear with its achievements.

Yola Sastra (JOL): Dewa United. This club has been very strong since last season. There haven't been many changes to the team this season, just patching up the missing players. Despite losing their first match, I'm confident Dewa will bounce back with a solid team.

Name the predicted top four finishing teams?

SAN: Malut United, Dewa United, Persija Jakarta, and PSM Makassar.

IGA: Persija Jakarta, Dewa United, Bali United, and Persib Bandung.

REB: Persib Bandung, Persebaya Surabaya, Dewa United, and Bali United.

BRO: Persib Bandung, Dewa United, Persija Jakarta, and Malut United.

JOL: Dewa United, Persib Bandung, Persija Jakarta, and Borneo FC.

Which three teams will be relegated?

SAN: PSBS Biak, Semen Padang, and Persijap Jepara.

IGA: PSBS Biak, Madura United, and Semen Padang.

BRO: PSBS Biak, Semen Padang, and Madura United.

JOL: PSBS Biak, Persijap Jepara, and Persik Kediri.

How far has the Indonesian representative traveled in the Asian arena?

SAN: Persib Bandung must at least qualify for the round of 16 of the Asian Champions League Two. Dewa United has the best squad in the Asian Challenge League, so they must win!

IGA: Persib will face a tough challenge to advance from the group stage, having failed to do so in the same tournament last season. Dewa United, with its numerous star players, will at least be able to match Madura United's achievement of reaching the semifinals. With thorough preseason preparation and a little luck, Dewa could make it to the Asia Challenge League final.

BRO: Persib is predicted to advance to the round of 16, or the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League Two. Dewa United is also predicted to advance to the knockout stage of the Asian Challenge League.

JOL: Persib did qualify, but they won't advance to the group stage of the Asian Champions League Two. Besides facing strong opponents, Persib's performance was unconvincing due to too many changes to the team. I believe Dewa United will reach the top eight in the Asian Challenge League, but not the semifinals. Dewa will focus on winning the BRI Super League title.

Who is the main candidate for top scorer?

SAN: Three candidates for the Golden Boot, in my opinion: Alex Martins (Dewa United), Kodai Tanaka (Persis Solo), and David Da Silva (Malut United).

IGA: Gustavo Almeida, who was a mainstay of Persija's front line last season, will likely compete again for the title of top scorer in the BRI Super League.

BRO: Rosembergne Da Silva aka Berguinho (Persib).

JOL: Dalberto, Arema FC's mainstay.

⁠Favorite best player?

SAN: Yakob Sayuri from Malut United. In his prime, Yakob's best moment was his super-consistent performance, leading Malut to the highest level of success.

IGA: Gustavo Almeida is very likely to win the best player award for next season. His contribution to Persija is predicted to be even more visible next season.

BRO: Dalberto Luan Belo (Arema). Three goals in the first week are proof that Dalberto's light will shine brightly this season.

JOL: Ricky Kambuaya (Dewa United). Amidst a glut of quality foreign players, Ricky remains an irreplaceable and crucial figure in Dewa's squad.

Which local players will shine?

SAN: Rizky Ridho. The 2025-2026 season will confirm that Ridho is worthy of being called Persija Jakarta's new icon.

IGA: Judging by his performance and significant contribution to the Indonesian U-23 team at the ASEAN Championship, Arkhan Fikri could be the most shining local player. Last season, Arkhan was irreplaceable, making 29 appearances. He only missed five of those, and those were due to national team call-ups.

BRO: Febri Hariyadi (Persib). The revival season of the player known as Bow is eagerly awaited.

JOL: Egy Maulana Fikri (Dewa United). If Dewa wins, Egy will certainly play a major role in their season.

Which young players (U-22) should be monitored?

SAN: Victor Dethan (PSM) and Arlyansyah Abdulmanan (Persija).

IGA: Achmad Maulana Syarif (Arema).

BRO: Arlyansyah Abdulmanan (Persija Jakarta).

JOL: Victor Dethan (PSM).

One interesting coach to follow?

SAN: Hendri Susilo (Malut United).

IGA: Johnny Jansen (Bali United).

BRO: Jean-Paul van Gastel (PSIM).

JOL: Eduardo Almeida (Semen Padang)

Which coach will be the first to be fired?

SAN: Eduardo Almeida (Semen Padang) or Angle Alfredo Vera (Madura United).

IGA: Divaldo Alves (PSBS Biak)

BRO: Eduardo Perez (Persebaya) or Angel Alfredo Vera (Madura United).

JOL: Carlos Pena (Persita Tangerang).