Articles with top 5 leagues

Tuesday Roundup 21/9/21

PREMIER LEAGUE (HIGHLIGHTS)

The passing of Jimmy Greaves was fittingly remembered with a meeting of the two sides he spent most of his career at, Spurs and Chelsea. Although the Lilywhites put in a strong first half performance, the Blues were far superior in the second, winning 3-0 to go joint top with Liverpool. The Reds also won 3-0 against Palace with Mane and Salah both on target. Man U joined them on 13 points after a dramatic finish in which David De Gea saved an injury time penalty from not so super sub Mark Noble. Things are going right this year for Brighton, who surprisingly complete the top 4 after victory over the Foxes. Pep was left to rue comments made about attendance as City were held goalless at the Etihad by the unfancied Saints. There was little cheer for the bottom 5, as Newcastle and Leeds drew, Wolves were beaten 2-0 at home by the Bees, Burnley lost at home to Arsenal and Norwich’s Premier League losing streak under Daniel Farke reached a preposterous 15 in a row at home to Watford. Elsewhere, Villa completed an impressive 3-0 win over the Toffees.

LA LIGA (HIGHLIGHTS)

Ronald Koeman’s days at Barca appear to be numbered despite a late equaliser that salvaged a point at home to Granada. Real stay top thanks to two goals in the last five minutes that turned the tables on high-flying Valencia. The other top six clashes between Atletico and Athletic, and Sociedad and Sevilla both ended goalless. Things are looking grim for still pointless Alaves and Getafe, who were defeated 2-0 and 3-0 by Osasuna and Rayo respectively. Celta’s progress from last season has also stalled, with a disappointing home defeat to Cadiz leaving them stuck in 18th. The remaining fixtures ended up as draws, most entertainingly a 2-2 encounter featuring a stoppage time equaliser by Espanyol at Betis. Europa League champions Villarreal have drawn all four of their opening fixtures, scoring and conceding just two.

SERIE A (HIGHLIGHTS)

A towering Ante Rebic header secured a point for Milan in Turin that left Juventus stuck in the relegation zone after four matches. They are joined there by Cagliari, who battled to a point at Lazio, and Salernitana, who remain pointless after a 1-0 defeat to an Atalanta side struggling to catch fire. Roma’s stay at the top was short-lived as they crashed to a 3-2 defeat in Verona, leaving Napoli the only side with a 100% record after their impressive 4-0 win at Udinese. With the remaining members of the big 7 all stuttering, could this be their year? Despite the firesale, Inter are still seemingly in good health, Dzeko netting 2 in a 6-1 demolition of Bologna. Elsewhere, La Viola’s fine start continued with a win at Genoa, Caputo bagged two for his new side Samp in a 3-0 win at his old side Empoli, Spezia got their first win at Venezia, and Torino surprised Sassuolo to take a 1-0 away win.

BUNDESLIGA (HIGHLIGHTS)

Nagelsmann’s Bayern have officially clicked into gear, following up their midweek humiliation of Barca with a 7-0 humiliation of their supposed friends, Bochum. Wolfsburg have now been caught, as their old boss Oliver Glasner snatched a barely deserved point with his new side, Eintracht. Erling Haaland’s unstoppable form continued, scoring 2 in a 4-2 win over Union, while Florian Wirtz’s impressive form helped Bayer secure a 3-1 away win at Stuttgart, despite playing much of the match with 10 men. Leipzig’s poor start continued as they drew 1-1 at Koln, while the Foals find themselves in the relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat to Augsburg. Greuther Furth lost again after leading at Hertha to remain bottom. The other games failed to produce goals.

LIGUE 1 (HIGHLIGHTS)

The ref bailed out PSG for the second time already this season, as serial cheat Neymar won a penalty for dragging a defender to the ground by his neck to bring PSG level against Lyon. Icardi finished the job with a last-minute header. There were plenty of derbies to enjoy, as Strasbourg won the derby of the east 3-0 over Metz, Lens took the derby of the north 1-0 over struggling Lille, Nantes stunned SCO 4-1 in the derby of the west and the southern Cote d’Azur derby saw Nice share 4 goals with Monaco. Elsewhere, Marseille continued their bright start with a 2-0 victory, while Bordeaux won the heavyweight basement battle with les Verts thanks to two Hwang Ui-Jo strikes. Points were shared in the remaining fixtures.

Tuesday Roundup 17/08/2021

PREMIER LEAGUE (HIGHLIGHTS)

Were you watching Harry Kane? Spurs continued their dominance over champions City at their new stadium in a merited 1-0 win with Son once again the “killer”. Bitter rivals Arsenal suffered the opposite fate as they slipped to a miserable 2-0 defeat at new boys Brentford, promoted via the playoffs. The other title hopefuls were busy laying down markers as Man U crushed Leeds 5-1 thanks to a Fernandes hat-trick and four Pogba assists, Chelsea cruised past Palace 3-0 and Liverpool registered the same score away from home at Norwich. A sensational Jamie Vardy strike helped the Foxes sneak past Wolves 1-0, while the Hammers twice came from behind to take the spoils against the Magpies. Elsewhere, Rafa got off to a winning start with the Toffees despite a shaky start, Watford flew out of the traps to record a 3-2 win over Villa, and things are looking grim for Burnley as they let an early lead slip to fall to defeat against the Seagulls.

LA LIGA (HIGHLIGHTS)

It was business as usual in La Liga, as both Real Madrid and Barca knocked in four against Basque opponents Alaves and Sociedad. Benzema netted a brace for Real, while Braithwaite did the same for a Barca side playing for the first time without Messi in the squad. Angel Correa scored two for champions Atletico as they overcame Celta 2-1 with a Suarez “injury” instigating acrimony that led to three red cards at the death. Erik Lamela was also at the double after his move to Sevilla from Spurs as they swept promoted Rayo aside 3-0. Valencia played the whole match with 10 men, but managed to hold on to beat Getafe 1-0, whilst El Comandante was back on target for the Granota in a 1-1 draw in Cadiz. Mallorca’s game against Betis finished the same way, but the remaining 3 matches failed to produce a goal. Villarreal’s Juan Foyth did see red, however.

COPPA ITALIA (HIGHLIGHTS)

The Coppa Italia kicked off the Italian season with the top 8 sides from last year not entering until the last 16. The match of the round was Ternana’s shock win at Bologna, going 5-1 up and missing a penalty before being hauled back to 5-4 and holding on for the final 15 minutes. In another enthralling encounter, a heroic goalkeeping performance from Carnesecchi was not quite enough for Cremonese, as Torino defeated the Serie B outfit on penalties. Serie A new boys Venezia needed to net 8 penalties in their shootout win over Frosinone, as the remainder of the top flight sides booked their passage into the next round, with stadium sharers Genoa and Sampdoria’s 3-2 comeback wins over Perugia and Alessandria other highlights. The second round has already been drawn with Sampdoria vs Torino and Venezia vs Ternana the pick of the ties.

BUNDESLIGA (HIGHLIGHTS)

Both of the new boys ended up empty-handed in Week 1, but Bochum will be a lot happier with their narrow defeat to Wolfsburg (after playing nearly the whole game with 10 men) than Greuther Furth will be with their 5-1 capitulation at Stuttgart. Adi Hutter’s new side, Monchengladbach, took a point against champions Bayern that could have been 3, but his old side Frankfurt continued their torrid start to the new campaign with a 5-2 mauling by Dortmund, Haaland adding another brace. Florian Kainz’s brace was the difference for Koln as they defeated Hertha 3-1, Andrej Kramaric turned provider with 3 assists in Hoffenheim’s 4-0 win at Augsburg, while Mainz caught Leipzig cold in a solid 1-0 win. Elsewhere, Bayer came back to draw 1-1 at Union and Bielefeld Freiburg finished goalless.

LIGUE 1 (HIGHLIGHTS)

With the arrival of Messi and the slow starts of PSG’s rivals, the big fish seems to have got bigger and the pond even smaller in France. Yet the Parisians still needed some refereeing assistance as Icardi’s offside opener was not chalked off and Strasbourg’s impressive comeback to 3-2 was checked by a harsh red card. Their surprise companions atop the table are Clermont, who defeated fellow promoted club Troyes on the back of a Bayo brace, and Angers, who dismantled an abject and lost-looking Lyon 3-0. It was even worse for holders Lille, who are well and truly in the Doguehouse after their former boss’s new charges, Nice, rolled in four without reply at the Pierre-Mauroy. Champions League distracted Monaco also fell to Lorient, and Marseille unexpectedly let a two goal half-time lead slip against out-of-form Bordeaux to drop two. Elsewhere, a much improved Nantes claimed a 2-0 home win over Metz, Montpellier and Reims shared 6 goals in a thriller, Lens had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw against Saint Etienne in their newly upgraded stadium, and Breton sides Brest and Rennes got their second points of the season as their match ended 1-1.

La Liga – 10 games to go (2020/2021)

Teams are in reverse order. Last five games begins with the most recent.

20th – Huesca – 21pts – DLLDW – Team Profile
Huesca’s players have remained loyal to the cause, but will need a little bit of magic to survive the drop. Three wins from the next five would give the Oscences a shot.
Next 5: Levante (A), Elche (H), Atletico (A), Getafe (H), Alaves (A)

19th – Alaves – 23pts – LDLLL – Team Profile
Things are looking grim at the moment for the boys from Vitoria-Gasteiz with just a single point taken from the last six. The home match against Huesca is a must win.
Next 5: Celta (H), Bilbao (A), Villarreal (H), Valencia (A), Huesca (H)

18th – Eibar – 23pts – DLLDL – Team Profile
A horrible looking run-in with games against four of the current top five could see tiny Eibar’s remarkable seven year run in the top flight come to an end. No wins in the last eleven.
Next 5: Real Madrid (A), Levante (H), Granada (A), Sociedad (H), Atletico (A)

17th – Elche – 25pts – DLLWL – Team Profile
Survival is a definite possibility for the Frangiverds, which is as much as they could have hoped for after squeezing into then through the playoffs last year.
Next 5: Betis (H), Huesca (A), Valladolid (H), Levante (H), Osasuna (A)

16th – Real Valladolid – 27pts – DDWDL – Team Profile
La Pucela’s yearly flirtation with relegation is underway, but they’ve shown they have the ability to survive a tough run-in. Shon Weissman has been a real find.
Next 5: Barca (A), Granada (H), Elche (A), Cadiz (H), Bilbao (A)

15th – Cadiz – 29pts – LDWLD – Team Profile
After an unexpectedly strong start, the other “yellow submarine” have been sinking down the table. Alvaro Negredo should steer them out of choppy waters.
Next 5: Valencia (H), Getafe (A), Real Madrid (H), Valladolid (A), Celta (H)

14th – Getafe – 29pts – DDLWL – Team Profile
Getafe have been miles off last season’s biting the heels of the big boys, perhaps due to the added fixtures of their Euro campaign. Coach Jose Bordalas is rightly still in his job.
Next 5: Osasuna (A), Cadiz (H), Barca (A), Huesca (A), Real Madrid (H)

13th – Osasuna – 30pts – DDLWL – Team Profile
The Pamplona outfit are having a steady but unremarkable season. Without the record home run that came to an end last season, they’ve slipped down the table a little.
Next 5: Getafe (H), Villarreal (A), Valencia (H), Celta (A), Elche (H)

12th – Valencia – 33pts – WLWLW – Team Profile
With Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin popping down the road to join Villarreal, Valencia is no longer the strongest team in the region. Sad to see the fans’ struggle with the owner.
Next 5: Cadiz (A), Valencia (H), Osasuna (A), Alaves (H), Betis (A)

11th – Celta Vigo – 34pts – LDWDL – Team Profile
Celta should finally avoid 17th place this season. The football has been much better under new boss Coudet, keeping them mid-table despite no Iago Aspas goals in 2021.
Next 5: Alaves (A), Sevilla (H), Sociedad (A), Osasuna (H), Cadiz (A)

10th – Levante – 35pts – LWLDW – Team Profile
Bags of goals from strike pair Roger Marti and El Comandante have produced an excellent season for La Granota, who reached the semi-final of the cup.
Next 5: Huesca (H), Eibar (A), Sevilla (H), Elche (A), Villarreal (H)

9th – Athletic Bilbao – 35pts – DDLWD – Team Profile
Athletic will be hoping to close the gap to Barca and pull away from Real in terms of Copa Del Rey wins with their two finals for 2020 and 2021. The league has been nothing to write home about.
Next 5: Sociedad (A), Alaves (H), Betis (A), Atletico (H), Valladolid (H)

8th – Granada – 36pts – LWLWL – Team Profile
Next 5: Villarreal (H), Valladolid (A), Eibar (H), Sevilla (A), Barca (A)
Raul Espinola has led Los Rojiblancos to a QF Europa League showdown with Manchester United AND kept them strong in the league behind a reborn Roberto Soldado. Chapeau!

7th – Villarreal – 43pts – WWLLD – Team Profile
Europa League QF for the better known “yellow submarine” under Unai Emery. He’d love another win. Gerard Moreno is approaching club record goal-scorer status.
Next 5: Granada (A), Osasuna (H), Alaves (A), Barca (H), Levante (A)

6th – Real Betis – 45pts – WLWWW – Team Profile
Betis are flying under Pellegrini with five wins in the last six. The one loss came against bitter rivals Sevilla, however, who are probably too far ahead to catch in 4th.
Next 5: Elche (A), Atletico (H), Bilbao (H), Real Madrid (A), Valencia (H)

5th – Real Sociedad – 45pts – LLWDW – Team Profile
La Real were the early frontrunners with David Silva pulling the strings, but couldn’t last the course. They suffered a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Barca last time out.
Next 5: Bilbao (H), Valencia (A), Celta (H), Eibar (A), Sevilla (H)

4th – Sevilla – 55pts – DWWLL – Team Profile
You would think Sevilla had done enough to secure Champions League football, but their run-in is as tough as it could get. En-Nesyri has had a great season up front.
Next 5: Atletico (H), Celta (A), Levante (A), Granada (H), Sociedad (A)

3rd – Real Madrid – 60pts – WWDDW – Team Profile
Benzema is unstoppable at the moment with 6 goals in his last 4 games hauling Madrid through to the last 8 of the Champions League and keeping their title challenge alive.
Next 5: Eibar (H), Barca (H), Cadiz (A), Betis (H), Getafe (A)

2nd – Barcelona – 62pts – WWWWW – Team Profile
Champions League aside, Messi and Barca have been on a blinding run of form that has taken them to the Copa Del Rey final and right into the slipstream of Atletico.
Next 5: Valladolid (H), Real Madrid (A), Getafe (H), Villarreal (A), Granada (H)

1st – Atletico Madrid – 66pts – WDWDW – Team Profile
It all seemed like a foregone conclusion for Atletico, but then Barca and Real got their act together and they’ve stuttered. Luis Suarez and Joao Felix will try to get them over the line.
Next 5: Sevilla (A), Betis (A), Huesca (H), Bilbao (A), Eibar (H)

# Team MP W D L F A G P
1 Real Madrid 32 25 6 1 70 22 +48 81
2 Barcelona 32 21 7 4 64 37 +27 70
3 Girona 32 21 5 6 67 40 +27 68
4 Atlético de Madrid 32 19 4 9 59 38 +21 61
5 Athletic Bilbao 32 16 10 6 52 30 +22 58
6 Real Sociedad 32 13 12 7 46 34 +12 51
7 Real Betis 32 12 12 8 40 38 +2 48
8 Valencia 32 13 8 11 35 34 +1 47
9 Villarreal 32 11 9 12 51 55 -4 42
10 Getafe 32 9 13 10 38 44 -6 40
11 Osasuna 32 11 6 15 37 46 -9 39
12 Sevilla 32 9 10 13 41 45 -4 37
13 Las Palmas 32 10 7 15 30 39 -9 37
14 Alaves 32 9 8 15 28 38 -10 35
15 Rayo Vallecano 32 7 13 12 27 39 -12 34
16 Mallorca 32 6 13 13 26 38 -12 31
17 Celta Vigo 32 7 10 15 37 47 -10 31
18 Cadiz 32 4 13 15 22 45 -23 25
19 Granada 32 3 9 20 33 61 -28 18
20 Almeria 32 1 11 20 31 64 -33 14

Why not check out:
Bundesliga – 10 games to go
Ligue 1 – 10 games to go
Premier League – 10 games to go
Serie A – 10 games to go

Premier League – 10 games to go (2020/2021)

Teams are in reverse order. Last five games begins with the most recent.

20th – Sheffield United – 14pts – LLWLL – Team Profile
In the Wilder-less wilderness, it was more a new manager thud than bounce as United crashed to a 5-0 defeat at Leicester last time out. Time to plan for the Championship.
Next 5: Leeds (A), Arsenal (H), Wolves (A), Brighton (H), Spurs (A)

19th – West Bromwich Albion – 18pts – LDLWD
The only way Sam Allardyce can continue his 100% record of avoiding relegation is by resigning or getting the sack. The Baggies will be joining the Blades down a division.
Next 5: Chelsea (A), Southampton (H), Leicester (A), Villa (A), Wolves (H)

18th – Fulham – 26pts – LWLDW
Scott Parker has worked wonders to have any chance of avoiding the drop after a terrible start and has proved a lot of doubters wrong in the process, myself included.
Next 5: Leeds (H), Villa (A), Wolves (H), Arsenal (A), Chelsea (A)

17th – Newcastle United – 28pts – DDDLL – Team Profile
Another awful season of uninspired football. Callum Wilson has looked good on occasion, but the fact that Andy Carroll is still in the picture tells you all you need to know about Joelinton.
Next 5: Brighton (A), Spurs (H), Burnley (A), West Ham (H), Liverpool (A)

16th – Brighton and Hove Albion – 29pts – WLLLD – Team Profile
All the metrics except points say that Brighton should be miles clear of the relegation scrap. Neal Maupay’s wayward finishing and heaps of terrible luck have cost them dearly.
Next 5: Newcastle (H), Man U (A), Everton (H), Chelsea (A), Sheff U (A)

15th – Burnley – 33pts – WDDLD – Team Profile
Nobody’s second team keep grafting away under foreman Sean Dyche, who keeps them competitive despite feeding on crumbs. Nick Pope has been a revelation.
Next 5: Southampton (A), Newcastle (H), Man U (A), Wolves (A), West Ham (H)

14th – Southampton – 33pts – LLWLL – Team Profile
Nobody saw either their flying start or recent nosedive coming in what’s been an up then down season. More of a log ride than a rollercoaster for the Saints.
Next 5: Burnley (H), West Brom (A), Palace (H), Leicester (H), Liverpool (A)

13th – Wolverhampton Wanderers – 35pts – LDLDW – Team Profile
The loss of Diogo Jota to Liverpool and Raul Jimenez to serious injury has stopped their progress in its tracks. Not even wearing the Portugal kit could turn things around.
Next 5: West Ham (H), Fulham (A), Sheff U (H), Burnley (H), West Brom (H)

12th – Leeds United – 36pts – DLLWL
Marcelo Bielsa’s swashbuckling tactics have somehow made Leeds an eminently likeable side. Consistently found out by better teams, but destroyers of mediocre ones.
Next 5: Fulham (A), Sheff U (H), Man City (A), Liverpool (H), Man U (H)

11th – Crystal Palace – 37pts – WLDDW – Team Profile
Roy Hodgson continues to work miracles on a shoestring. Zaha’s looked much more interested this year and Benteke’s finally rediscovered the whereabouts of the net.
Next 5: Everton (A), Chelsea (H), Southampton (A), Leicester (A), Man City (H)

10th – Arsenal – 41pts – WDWLW – Team Profile
Mikel Arteta has continued his rebuild at the Emirates with plenty of promising youngsters unearthed. However, the Europa League is looking like the only possible salvation this season.
Next 5: West Ham (A), Liverpool (H), Sheff U (A), Fulham (H), Everton (H)

9th – Aston Villa – 41pts – DDLWL – Team Profile
After a really strong start, they’ve lost their way since talisman Jack Grealish’s injury. He’s about to return though and could help them make a late push for Europe.
Next 5: Spurs (H), Fulham (H), Liverpool (A), Man City (H), West Brom (H)

8th – Tottenham Hotspur – 45pts – LWWWL – Team Profile
After topping the league for the best part of a month, Spurs imploded. A recent recovery saw Kane, Son and Bale finally gelling, but then the NLD happened. Could still win two cups though.
Next 5: Villa (A), Newcastle (A), Man U (H), Everton (A), Sheff U (H)

7th – Everton – 46pts – LLWWW – Team Profile
Carlo Ancelotti’s been doing a fine job at Goodison with Calvert-Lewin turned poacher extraordinaire but they’ve lost their last two. Still in the mix for Europe.
Next 5: Palace (H), Brighton (A), Spurs (H), Arsenal (A), Villa (H)

6th – Liverpool – 46pts – WLLWL – Team Profile
A record-breaking six straight losses has seen Fortress Anfield collapse after a terrible run of injuries. Still in the Champions League this year, but probably won’t be in 2021/2022.
Next 5: Arsenal (A), Villa (H), Leeds (A), Newcastle (H), Man U (A)

5th – West Ham United – 48pts – LWLWW – Team Profile
David Moyes has rediscovered his mojo and taken the unfancied Hammers to a position he used to sit in with Everton in the days of the “Big 4”. Soucek and Antonio have been a big part of that.
Next 5: Arsenal (H), Wolves (A), Leicester (H), Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H)

4th – Chelsea – 51pts – DWWDD – Team Profile
Sacking club legend Frank Lampard was a huge call, but it seems to have been utterly vindicated. Thomas Tuchel remains unbeaten since taking the reins. Nailed on for top four.
Next 5: West Brom (H), Palace (A), Brighton (H), West Ham (A), Fulham (H)

3rd – Leicester City – 56pts – WWDLW – Team Profile
The Foxes are enjoying another wonderful year under Brendan Rodgers. The shock Europa loss to Slavia Prague could give them the energy in the tank required for a tough run-in.
Next 5: Man City (H), West Ham (A), West Brom (H), Palace (H), Southampton (A)

2nd – Manchester United – 57pts – WWDDW – Team Profile
Bruno Fernandes and a bunch of penalties (some more deserved than others) have given Ole his best year in charge yet. Will have a tilt at both the FA Cup and Europa League.
Next 5: Brighton (H), Spurs (A), Burnley (H), Leeds (A), Liverpool (H)

1st – Manchester City – 71pts – WWLWW – Team Profile
After much “after you, no after you”, City bashed the door down with 21 wins on the bounce featuring Gundogan as the unlikely hero. The title is rightfully theirs. Quadruple anyone?
Next 5: Leicester (A), Leeds (H), Villa (A), Palace (A), Chelsea (H)

Why not check out:
Bundesliga – 10 games to go
La Liga – 10 games to go
Ligue 1 – 10 games to go
Serie A – 10 games to go

Bundesliga – 10 games to go (2020-2021)

Teams are in reverse order. Last five games begins with the most recent.

18th – Schalke – 10pts – DLLDL – Team Profile
Four managers have already fallen victim to this poisoned chalice in just 24 games, and only one of them managed a win. The Miners are heading down.
Next 5: Wolfsburg (A), Gladbach (H), Bayer (A), Augsburg (H), Freiburg (A)

17th – Mainz – 18pts – DLWDW – Team Profile
They may say they’re “just a carnival team”, but they’ve been in the 1. Bundesliga for 12 years now. Jean-Philippe Mateta was a big loss to Crystal Palace.
Next 5: Freiburg (H), Hoffenheim (A), Arminia (H), Koln (A), Hertha (H)

16th – Arminia Bielefeld – 19pts – LDLLD – Team Profile
Arminia massively rolled the dice by parting ways with long-term manager Uwe Neuhaus at the beginning of March. Time will tell if it was genius or folly.
Next 5: Bayer (A), Leipzig (H), Mainz (A), Freiburg (H). Augsburg (A)

15th – Hertha Berlin – 21pts – WLLDL – Team Profile
Club legend and former coach Pal Dardai has returned to steady the ship after Bruno Labbadia lost his way. His son now plays in defence. They’ll be fine.
Next 5: Dortmund (A), Bayer (H), Union (A), Gladbach (H), Mainz (A)

14th – Koln – 22pts – DLLLW – Team Profile
A horrific home record has left the Billy Goats in danger. Timo Horn is still between the sticks, but might not fancy another year in the second tier.
Next 5: Union (A), Dortmund (H), Wolfsburg (A), Mainz (H), Bayer (A)

13th – Augsburg – 26pts – LWDLL – Team Profile
Polish keeper Rafal Gikiewicz seems to be on a mission to finish above his former side, Union. It won’t happen, but boss Heiko Herrlich isn’t complaining.
Next 5: Gladbach (H), Freiburg (A), Hoffenheim (H), Schalke (A), Arminia (H)

12th – Werder Bremen – 30pts – WDWLD – Team Profile
Mid-table mediocrity is just what the doctor ordered for Florian Kohfeldt after last season’s great escape. American Josh Sargent has stepped it up.
Next 5: Bayern (A), Wolfsburg (H), Stuttgart (A), Leipzig (H), Dortmund (A)

11th – Hoffenheim – 30pts – WDWDL – Team Profile
Hoffenheim have been the definition of inconsistent this season under Sebastian Hoeness. Record scorer Andrej Kramaric remains the focal point up front.
Next 5: Stuttgart A), Mainz (H), Augsburg (A). Bayer (H), Leipzig (A)

10th – Borussia Monchengladbach – 33pts – LLLDL – Team Profile
Why oh why do they do it? Every year there is a premature news story about a summer switch. The Foals have lost interest since coach Marco Rose said he was off to the other Borussia.
Next 5: Augsburg (A), Schalke (A), Freiburg (H), Hertha (A), Frankfurt (H)

9th – Stuttgart – 33pts – DWWDL – Team Profile
After securing promotion, the effortlessly cool Pellegrino Matarazzo has put Stuttgart back among the best with the help of free-scoring Sasa Kalajdzic and Silas Wamangituka.
Next 5: Hoffenheim (H), Bayern (A), Werder (H), Dortmund (H), Union (A)

8th – Freiburg – 34pts – LWLDW – Team Profile
Perennially punching above their weight, Christian Streich’s men have been at it again this season. His near ten-year tenure at the Black Forest side is the longest in the top flight.
Next 5: Mainz (A). Augsburg (H), Gladbach (A), Arminia (A), Schalke (H)

7th – Union Berlin – 35pts – DDWDL – Team Profile
Without question this year’s surprise package. After falling away badly at the end of last season, they brought in veteran Max Kruse, who has really got them firing.
Next 5: Koln (H), Frankfurt (A), Hertha (H), Bayern (A), Stuttgart (H)

6th – Borussia Dortmund – 39pts – LWWDL – Team Profile
Tipped to run Bayern close, this year has been a disaster for Dortmund in the league. However, they’re still alive in both the Champions League and the DFB Pokal.
Next 5: Hertha (H), Koln (A), Frankfurt (H), Stuttgart (A), Werder (H)

5th – Bayer Leverkusen – 40pts – WLDDW – Team Profile
Not only have they fallen away badly in the league, they’ve also been dumped out of Europe by Young Boys and the DFB Pokal by Essen. Peter Bosz will be looking over his shoulder.
Next 5: Arminia (H), Hertha (A), Schalke (H), Hoffenheim (A), Koln (H)

4th – Eintracht Frankfurt – 43pts – DLWWW – Team Profile
The Eagles have been flying since Luka Jovic’s reunion with Filip Kostic, and Andre Silva has had the best year of his career. Strong candidates for the Champions League next season.
Next 5: Leipzig (A), Union (H), Dortmund (A), Wolfsburg (H), Gladbach (A)

3rd – Wolfsburg – 45pts – LWWDW – Team Profile
Few expected Oliver Glasner’s Wolves to be mixing it at the top, but Koen Casteels has been flawless in goal, and Wout Weghorst a beast up front.
Next 5: Schalke (H), Werder (A), Koln (H), Frankfurt (A), Bayern (H)

2nd – Leipzig – 53pts – WWWWW – Team Profile
It’s been Leipzig’s turn to keep Bayern honest this season and they’ve done it admirably with six wins on the spin. No more Champions League football gives them an outside chance.
Next 5: Frankfurt (H), Arminia (A), Bayern (H), Werder (A), Hoffenheim (H)

1st – Bayern – 55pts – WWLDW – Team Profile
Defensively fragile, but still huge favourites. No Pokal this time after Holstein Kiel’s heroics, but Lewandowski could break the Bundesliga scoring record.
Next 5: Werder (A), Stuttgart (H), Leipzig (A), Union (H), Wolfsburg (A)

Why not check out:
La Liga – 10 games to go
Ligue 1 – 10 games to go
Premier League – 10 games to go
Serie A – 10 games to go

Ligue 1 – 10 games to go (2020-2021)

Teams are in reverse order. Last five games begins with the most recent.

20th – Dijon – 15pts – LLLLL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Hard to see anything apart from not cutting the mustard gags after eight losses on the bounce. It’ll be Ligue 2 football for the boys from Burgundy next season.
Next 5: Bordeaux (H), Reims (H), Marseille (A), Monaco (A), Nice (H)

19th – Nantes -24pts – LDDWL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
After an ill-advised dalliance with Raymond Domenech, the Canaries have experienced a mini-revival under Antoine Kombouare. Will it be too little too late?
Next 5: PSG (A), Lorient (H), Nice (H), Rennes (A), Lyon (H)

18th – Nimes – 25pts – LDWWW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
The Crocodiles have gone off the boil after putting together a 3 game winning streak spearheaded by the flowing locks of Renaud Ripart. A tough run-in awaits.
Next 5: Montpellier (H), Lille (A), St-Etienne (H), Brest (A), Strasbourg (H)

17th – Lorient – 27 pts – DWLLD – Recent highlights – Team Profile
A respectable return to the top flight for the Brittany outfit could well end with their objective of staying afloat achieved. It’s sink or swim time for Les Merlus.
Next 5: Nice (H), Nantes (A), Brest (H), Lens (A), Marseille (A)

16th – St-Etienne – 30pts – LLDWW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Les Verts are not safe after a very up and down season under Claude Puel. PSG could equal their record number of titles this year, so they will want to remain at the top table at least.
Next 5: Angers (A), Monaco (H), Nimes (A), Bordeaux (H), PSG (A)

15th – Bordeaux – 33pts – LLLDL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Having failed to win in eight matches, the Girondins are on a dreadful run, but victory against the even worse Dijon should all but secure safety.
Next 5: Dijon (A), Montpellier (A), Strasbourg (H), St-Etienne (A), Monaco (H)

14th – Strasbourg – 33pts – WDDWL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
No cup run this year for Le Racing, but the prodigiously tall Ludovic Ajorque’s goals will make sure their heads remain above water for another season.
Next 5: Rennes (A), Lens (H), Bordeaux (A), PSG (H), Nimes (A)

13th – Brest – 34pts – WLLDW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
The Pirate Team are looking good for survival. With 50 goals leaked, it’s hardly been a tight ship at the back, but stopper Larsonneur has often bailed them out.
Next 5: Marseille (A), Angers (H), Lorient (A), Nimes (H), Lens (H)

12th – Reims – 34pts – WDDDL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
After flying out of the blocks, Boulaye Dia has not been able to rediscover his fizz. It’s not been champagne football from Reims, but they’ll be fine.
Next 5: Lyon (H), Dijon (A), Rennes (H), Nice (A), Metz (H)

11th – Nice – 35pts – WWLLL– Recent highlights – Team Profile
Back to back wins inspired by standout performer Amine Gouiri have put any relegation fears to bed, but it’s been a disappointing season for the south coast side.
Next 5: Lorient (A), Marseille (H), Nantes (A), Reims (H), Dijon (A)

10th – Rennes – 38pts – LLLLL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
It’s not been a happy new year for Rennes, going from title outsiders to the fringes of Europe. Julien Stephan has just been replaced in the dugout by Bruno Genesio.
Next 5: Strasbourg (H), Metz (A), Reims (A), Nantes (H), Angers (A)

9th – Angers – 39pts – WDDLL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Le SCO can be satisfied with another solid season that has given them an outside shot at Europe. If that fails, the Angevins could target a first ever cup victory.
Next 5: St-Etienne (H), Brest (A), Montpellier (H), Lyon (A), Rennes (H)

8th – Montpellier – 40pts – DDWWW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
England youth star Stephy Mavididi has bolstered Montpellier’s attack this year. A place in Europe is certainly within the grasp of these top ten regulars.
Next 5: Nimes (A), Bordeaux (H), Angers (A), Marseille (H), Lille (A)

7th – Metz – 41pts – LWWLL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Nobody expected such a strong season from the Maroons this year. Their next six fixtures are brutal, so keeping in touch with 5th is the order of the day.
Next 5: Lens (A), Rennes (H), Monaco (A), Lille (H), Reims (A)

6th – Marseille – 42pts – WLDDW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Despite Andre Villas Boas’ comic departure, a fan attack on the training ground, and Payet and Thauvin’s ongoing personal feud, they are still somehow 6th. What crisis?
Next 5: Brest (H), Nice (A), Dijon (H), Montpellier (A), Lorient (H)

5th – Lens – 44pts – WDWDD – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Unbeaten in eight, the Blood and Gold’s return to the top flight has been magnificent. Former Lens youth product Gael Kakuta has been a big factor in their renaissance.
Next 5: Metz (H), Strasbourg (A), Lyon (H), Lorient (H), Brest (A)

4th – Monaco – 55pts – LWWDW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Importing Niko Kovac and Kevin Volland from the Bundesliga has worked out pretty well for the principality. A place on the “podium” is their main aim.
Next 5: Lille (H), St-Etienne (A), Metz (H), Dijon (H), Bordeaux (A)

3rd – Lyon – 59pts – WDWLW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
With no European distractions and Memphis Depay and Houssem Aouar both still on the books, this is the best chance Lyon have had at the title for years.
Next 5: Reims (A), PSG (H), Lens (A), Angers (H), Nantes (A)

2nd – PSG – 60pts – WWLWW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
This will not be a stroll to the title for Pochettino, as he will have to juggle Champions League commitments with a tricky run-in. Still favourites nevertheless.
Next 5: Nantes (H), Lyon (A), Lille (H), Strasbourg (A), St-Etienne (H)

1st – Lille – 62pts – WDWDW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Defeat to Ajax in the Europa League could be a real blessing in disguise for Les Dogues. Christophe Galtier’s charges still have to visit the rest of the current top five.
Next 5: Monaco (A), Nimes (H), PSG (A), Metz (A), Montpellier (H)

Why not check out:
Bundesliga – 10 games to go
La Liga – 10 games to go
Premier League – 10 games to go
Serie A – 10 games to go

European Football Roundup 4/8/2020

PREMIER LEAGUE (FA CUP FINAL HIGHLIGHTS)
The domestic season in England came to a close with an enjoyable FA Cup final between London heavyweights Chelsea and Arsenal, both sides with young former players at the helm.

Christian Pulisic got the match off to a great start for the Blues with an early goal, but after that everything that could go wrong for them went wrong. First, captain Azpilicueta was forced off injured, then scorer Pulisic pulled up with a hamstring injury when through on goal. His replacement, Pedro, later went off with a dislocated shoulder after Kovacic had picked up a highly controversial second yellow card, Xhaka making an absolute meal of a nothing challenge.

In the meantime, Aubameyang had added another brace to his two from the semi-final to once again be Arsenal’s saviour, securing a 14th FA Cup title for the Gunners and a place in Europe at Wolves’ expense. Nuno’s boys will have to win the Europa League if they want to be playing abroad next season.

Brentford and Fulham will face off today to see who will join Leeds and West Brom in the Premiership next season in the match dubbed the richest in football. It’s been nearly eighty years since Brentford last dined at the top table. (TABLE)

SERIE A (HIGHLIGHTS MATCHDAY 37 AND MATCHDAY 38)
If ever a scudetto was undeserved it was this one, Juve’s 36th. They ended the season with woeful losses to Cagliari and Lazio, as Inter finished just a point behind. Dreadful refereeing is the only reason they scraped home, and Sarri is unlikely to survive their poor end to the season, the bias of officials unable to blind Bianconeri spectators to the obvious deficiencies of their side.

Atalanta have been guilty of taking their eye off the ball after the scandal that was their win draw against Juventus and if they’d kept going to the end they may have caught them. Or maybe Ronaldo would have been given a few more penalties. Who knows? As it was, Inter swept them aside in their final game play-off for second, La Dea atypically unable to recover from an early goalkeeping howler.

Lazio ended up fourth after a defeat to Napoli, but not before Ciro Immobile had added a record-equalling 36th goal to his season’s tally to take the title of capocannoniere. Who says there are no goals in Italy? Certainly not Lecce. They scored 52 this season while shipping 85 as they slipped down a division after a battling 4-3 loss to Parma. Genoa maintained their Serie A status with a comfortable 3-0 win over Hellas.

Benevento and Crotone will be back in the top flight next season and will be joined by one of Spezia, Pordenone, Cittadella, Chievo, Empoli or Frosinone once the lengthy and complicated play-offs are done and dusted. (TABLE)

LIGUE 1
A largely forgettable season abandoned halfway through due to coronavirus came to a turgid end with the last ever Coupe de la Ligue final, contested by Lyon and PSG. Both sides looked flat due to a lack of football. Neither was able to muster much in the way of chances, meaning the match was decided on penalties after a very late red card for OL. Both sides scored their regulation five before Bertrand Traore saw his effort saved and Pablo Sarabia kept his cool to allow the Parisians to complete yet another domestic treble. Yawn. (TABLE)

LA LIGA
League finished. Winners: Real Madrid / Champions League: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla / Europa League : Villarreal, Real Sociedad, Granada / Relegated: Leganes, Mallorca, Espanyol / Promoted: Huesca, Cadiz / Copa del Rey Winners: Undetermined / Top Scorer: Lionel Messi (TABLE)

BUNDESLIGA
League finished. Winners: Bayern Munich / Champions League: Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach / Europa League : Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim / Relegated: Fortuna Dusseldorf, Paderborn / Promoted: Arminia Bielefeld, Stuttgart / DFB Pokal Winners: Bayern Munich / Top Scorer: Robert Lewandowski (TABLE)

European Football Roundup 28/7/2020

PREMIER LEAGUE (HIGHLIGHTS IN THE TEXT)
Champions Liverpool went out on a scoring spree, netting eight goals against Chelsea and Newcastle to wrap up their season. City went one better with nine against hapless Watford and relegated Norwich, who made it eleven losses from eleven since lockdown. After being held by West Ham midweek, Manchester United claimed third and a return to the Champions League with a win at the Foxes, who will have to content themselves with a spot in the Europa League after being in the top four practically all season. Jamie Vardy did win the Golden Boot for the first time in his career, however, with 23 goals. In doing so, he became the oldest winner in Premier League history.

Chelsea grabbed the final Champions League berth with a comfortable victory over Wolves, who still have two possible routes into Europe next season. Should Chelsea win the FA Cup, their seventh place will suffice for the Europa League, but if they win the Europa League themselves this season, they could be in the Champions League next year as England’s fifth representative. Spurs claimed sixth spot with a tame 1-1 draw at Palace that summed up their dismal season.

Arsenal will hope to alleviate the disappointment of another year in Tottenham’s shadow with an FA Cup win, but they were hugely influential in the relegation battle as they lost to Villa (safe) before beating Watford (down). The Hornets rolled the managerial dice once too often, and the writing was on the wall once Pearson was given the boot last week. That midweek win for Villa was crucial as it meant a point was all they needed at the Hammers, as Bournemouth’s win at Everton proved too little too late.

The remaining matches were between sides who could all be very content with their season; Southampton defeated Sheffield United and Brighton picked up a surprise win at Turf Moor. (TABLE)

SERIE A (HIGHLIGHTS MATCHDAY 35 AND MATCHDAY 36)
It’s all over bar the shouting in Serie A with practically nothing to play for in the last two set of fixtures. It could be a good chance for the sides still in European competition to rest some key players, whilst others can try out some younger players or new systems with next season just around the corner.

Juventus officially claimed a record 36th (and ninth in a row) Serie A title by defeating Sampdoria at home following a shock last minute home defeat to Udinese. Maurizio Sarri has now got his hands on his first scudetto, but it has come whilst in charge of the “enemy”; he probably would have preferred to have taken it with Napoli. The “other Bianconeri” have had a strong end to the season after flirting with relegation for much of it.

Already relegated SPAL were given a 6-1 thumping at home by Roma, and they have been joined by Brescia, who registered another couple of losses. Lecce are all but down, but could still escape if they win their remaining fixtures at Udinese and at home to Parma and Genoa fail to take two points from theirs against Sassuolo and Hellas.

Any hopes Sassuolo had of catching their closest rivals for the Europa League spots have been extinguished by losses to Milan and Napoli. The Rossoneri continued their excellent recent run with a draw against Atalanta that handed the title to Juventus mathematically.

Four goals for Ciro Immobile this week took him to 34 in the race for the title of “capocannoniere”. Ronaldo lies three goals behind on 31 and missed a penalty this week. (TABLE)

LIGUE 1 (HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COUPE DE FRANCE FINAL)
Action returned to France this week as PSG took on Saint Etienne in a delayed Coupe de France final. A limited number of supporters were allowed into the ground in a first for the top 5 leagues since the coronavirus outbreak. On the pitch, Neymar scored an early goal that was enough to defeat les Verts after their captain, Loic Perrin, was sent off in his last ever match for the club . There didn’t seem to be much malice in the tackle, but it resulted in an injury to Kylian Mbappe, and that may have been why the original yellow became a red. It marked a record 13th Coupe de France for PSG and they’ll be aiming for the triple next week against Lyon, in a game which will also serve as a final warm-up for both before the Champions League gets back underway. (TABLE)

LA LIGA
League finished. Winners: Real Madrid / Champions League: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla / Europa League : Villarreal, Real Sociedad, Granada / Relegated: Leganes, Mallorca, Espanyol / Promoted: Huesca, Cadiz / Copa del Rey Winners: Undetermined / Top Scorer: Lionel Messi (TABLE)

BUNDESLIGA
League finished. Winners: Bayern Munich / Champions League: Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach / Europa League : Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim / Relegated: Fortuna Dusseldorf, Paderborn / Promoted: Arminia Bielefeld, Stuttgart / DFB Pokal Winners: Bayern Munich / Top Scorer: Robert Lewandowski (TABLE)

European Football Roundup 21/7/2020

PREMIER LEAGUE (HIGHLIGHTS IN THE TEXT)
With nothing to play for, Liverpool and Manchester City are both ambling towards the end of the season without purpose. The Reds lost to the Gunners, while City scraped past Bournemouth 2-1. Chelsea picked up a crucial win over relegated Norwich and could clinch a Champions League place with a win over Liverpool tomorrow. If that fails, they may have to beat Wolves on Sunday, who themselves are desperate to clinch Europa League football after a draw at Burnley and a win over Palace.

Manchester United also beat Palace and will be hoping a win over West Ham before they meet the Foxes on Sunday will set them up for a place at the European top table. Leicester’s fall from grace has been dramatic, but they did manage to take three points off the Blades before falling to a newly resilient Tottenham, who themselves had just taken all three points at Newcastle. Sheffield United also lost to Everton, meaning their European ambitions are over. They are now level with Burnley, who moved up the table after defeating the Canaries.

At the bottom, Bournemouth are all but down after an agonising home defeat to Southampton, who had two south coast “derbies” this week, drawing the other with Brighton. Aston Villa also suffered the heartbreak of a late Everton equaliser and will need something against both Arsenal and West Ham to escape. Watford are the target of both sides after falling to West Ham, Antonio on the scoresheet again. They end their season against Man City and Arsenal in two eminently losable games. The games will be made even tougher by the shock decision to sack their manager Nigel Pearson with immediate effect. Already safe Brighton and Newcastle played out a goalless draw in the week’s remaining fixture. (TABLE)

The two FA Cup semi-finals were also played this week, with London winning against Manchester on both occasions. Arteta put one over his former mentor as Arsenal defeated City and De Gea let another shot slip through his hands as United fell to Chelsea. The final will be a repeat of last year’s Europa League final, with much younger managers at the helm.

LA LIGA (HIGHLIGHTS MATCHDAY 37 AND MATCHDAY 38)
With Real cruising to the title and the remaining Champions League places already on their way to Barca, Atletico and Sevilla, last day drama was reserved for the race for the Europa League and the fight to avoid the drop. Celta had imploded after an excellent run of form had nearly cleared them of danger and as a result found themselves with a rejuvenated Leganes on their heels going into the final day. Lega had done magnificently under Javier Aguirre to take 10 points from 12, but needed a win at Real Madrid to overtake the Galicians. They twice went behind before equalising and on another day a handball in the box could easily have been given to afford them the chance of going up 3-2. As it was, the scores finished level and Celta stumbled over the finishing line in 17th for a second straight season. Higher up the table, newly-promoted Granada posted an excellent 4-0 win over Bilbao to surprisingly claim the final Europa League spot. They will be joined in next season’s competition by Villarreal and Sociedad, with Levante and Valencia missing out. Messi claimed a record-breaking seventh pichichi, as he took his tally of goals in La Liga to a whopping 444. Next season, Huesca and Cadiz will be joining the top flight party, with the third team to be determined via playoffs. (TABLE)

SERIE A (HIGHLIGHTS MATCHDAY 33 AND MATCHDAY 34)
There are still four matchdays left this season, but nearly everything is already decided. After defeating Lazio 2-1, there is no way that Juve will be doing anything other than winning the scudetto. Inter, Atalanta and Lazio will be playing in the Champions League, as they are well clear of the next cluster of teams in 5th to 7th. Roma, Napoli and an AC Milan in their best form in years will take the Europa League spots unless one of them completely collapses and Sassuolo continue their excellent recent run. The most important game of the week saw 17th-placed Genoa scrape past 18th-placed Lecce 2-1 in rather fortuitous circumstances. Lecce missed a penalty and Genoa’s winner rebounded off the post, hit the goalkeeper and went in. The gap between them has now been extended to 4 points, meaning Lecce’s showdown with Brescia tomorrow is an absolute must-win for them to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score 50 goals in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. 12 of his goals this season have come from the penalty spot, which is another record. No comment. (TABLE)

BUNDESLIGA
League finished. Winners: Bayern Munich / Champions League: Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach / Europa League : Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim / Relegated: Fortuna Dusseldorf, Paderborn / Promoted: Arminia Bielefeld, Stuttgart / Cup Winners: Bayern Munich (TABLE)

LIGUE 1
League finished. Winners: PSG / Champions League: Marseille, Rennes / Europa League: Lille, Nice, Reims / Relegated: Amiens, Toulouse / Promoted: Lens, Lorient / Cup Winners: Undetermined (TABLE)

European Football Roundup 14/7/2020

PREMIER LEAGUE (HIGHLIGHTS IN THE TEXT)
It was a great week for Man City, who worked out which people they needed to bribe in order to be reinstated into European competition after 5-0 wins against Newcastle and Brighton. FFP is clearly just there to stop any upstarts threatening to challenge the hegemony of the elite. Liverpool are stuttering towards the end of the season, but managed to beat Brighton before being held by Burnley.

It’s now very tight for the third and fourth Champions League spots as Chelsea were soundly beaten by Sheffield United after a narrow win over Palace and Leicester fell to a shock thumping by Bournemouth after claiming a point against the Gunners. Manchester United could have taken third place, but their excellent run was brought to an end by a late equaliser against Southampton after they had comfortably dealt with Villa.

It was a great week for Sheffield United, who beat both Chelsea and Wolves; the latter bounced back to beat Everton. The Blades and Wolves are in prime position for the remaining Europa spots. Spurs played out an excruciating 0-0 with the Cherries before taking the North London derby thanks to yet another defensive howler from Arsenal.

Norwich have lost all eight of their fixtures since lockdown, falling to relegation rivals Watford and West Ham (Mikhail Antonio bagging all four goals) this week to confirm their return to the Championship. Villa’s win over Palace means neither the Hornets nor the Hammers are safe yet; the Hornets won their other match against Newcastle, but West Ham fell to Burnley. The week’s meaningless mid-table match ended in a draw between Everton and the Saints. (TABLE)

LA LIGA (HIGHLIGHTS MATCHDAY 35 AND MATCHDAY 36)
Two games remain in the season and Real just need to win one of theirs against Villarreal and Leganes to claim the title. Champions League spots for familiar faces Barca, Atletico and Sevilla are now a mathematical certainty. At the bottom, Espanyol were relegated by their city rivals Barcelona. Mallorca and Leganes are mathematically alive, and four points for either of them could be enough to save them with 17th placed Alaves facing a tricky trip to Betis before they host Barca. Six would be required to overhaul Celta and their goal difference, but that is assuming the Sky Blues fail to beat both already relegated Espanyol and Levante. (TABLE)

SERIE A (HIGHLIGHTS MATCHDAY 31 AND MATCHDAY 32)
Atalanta are the best team in Serie A and for me they have won the scudetto, no matter what the table says. Immobile’s dive started Lazio’s comeback for an undeserved point at the Olimpico before lockdown, and this time round the referees let them down again by gifting Juventus two penalties to remove the chance of anything interesting happening in the last six weeks of the competition. If De Ligt hadn’t been allowed to play basketball in the penalty area at the start of the season (compare his weekly handballs to the two given yesterday), La Dea would be runaway leaders, not the Old Lady. Sigh.

Lazio lost to both Sassuolo and strugglers Lecce this week to end their title challenge, but the shock win for the Giallorossi has not been enough to get out of the relegation playoff place following Genoa’s win over SPAL. The Ferrara club and Brescia are now all but down. Elsewhere, there was a fine win for Milan over Juve, which threatened to throw open the title race before the officials got in the way. And Udinese’s fantastically named Kevin Lasagna is on fire after six goals in the last five games. (TABLE)

BUNDESLIGA
League finished. Winners: Bayern Munich / Champions League: Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach / Europa League : Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim / Relegated: Fortuna Dusseldorf, Paderborn / Promoted: Arminia Bielefeld, Stuttgart / Cup Winners: Bayern Munich (TABLE)

LIGUE 1
League finished. Winners: PSG / Champions League: Marseille, Rennes / Europa League: Lille, Nice, Reims / Relegated: Amiens, Toulouse / Promoted: Lens, Lorient / Cup Winners: Undetermined (TABLE)