From a Premier League chase-down to a Serie A sizzler, who will be crowned champions in Europe’s top five leagues and claim the last Champions League spots?
Premier League
Liverpool are top of the league, two points clear of Manchester City, who have played a game less. The Citizens have the title race in their hands, and the lack of pressure compared to their Merseyside rivals could be a key factor.
Pep Guardiola knows how to handle this moment of the season, and this could prove decisive. The two teams won’t face each other anymore, either. Right behind them, four teams are in it for the remaining two Champions League spots. The feeling is Tottenham’s recent experience and Manchester United’s fresh start under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should do the job.
Winner: Manchester City
Top four: Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United
La Liga
Barcelona are ten points clear at the top of the table, and winning the title seems a formality. The battle for second will be interesting, as city rivals Atletico and Real Madrid are separated by just two points.
The fight is for the dominance of Madrid, and little else, as coming second or third makes no difference. The last spot for playing in next year’s Champions League is now property of Getafe, with Alaves, Sevilla and Valencia chasing them. Without the Europa League robbing them of energy, Sevilla should be in the best position to finish fourth.
Winner: Barcelona
Top four: Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Sevilla
Bundesliga
On a par with the Premier League in terms of excitement, with Bayern and Borussia Dortmund both on 60 points at the top of the table. Dortmund had dominated initially, but the momentum has now shifter to Munich, following a great comeback.
The superior squad and experience should be the difference. Behind them, a bunch of teams are battling it out to book a place in Europe’s top competition, with Leipzig on 49 points and Borussia Moenchengladbach on 47 currently occupying the third and fourth spots, followed by Eintracht Frankfurt on 46. If the Europa League doesn’t distract Eintracht, expect them to fight until the end.
Winner: Bayern Munich
Top four: Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Eintracht
Serie A
Juventus are 15 points clear at the top of Serie A. Behind them, Napoli is sure to come second, but the battle for third and fourth is heating up. Inter and AC Milan would play the Champions League if the season ended now, but Roma and Lazio are within six points, and considering all the clashes these teams have to face between each other, there is still a long way to go.
Winner: Juventus
Top four: Napoli, AC Milan, Inter
Ligue 1
It’s total dominance from Paris, who are 20 points clear at the top of the table. Lille is second (which would mean Champions League group stages), four points clear of Lyon, who would go to the Champions League qualifiers. Watch out for Marseille’s comeback: currently six points behind Lyon but on the rise. They could be a threat.
Winner: Paris Saint-Germain
Top three: Lille, Lyon
