RACE RACE NOT NOT OVER OVER IN IN FRANCE FRANCE AND AND SPAIN SPAIN
Leagues across Europe have entered the home bend. There is no contest for the title in some countries and it’s too tough to hazard a guess in some other places. Here is the lowdown on the title race in top five leagues of the continent.
ENGLAND:
Champagne is on ice in London. Jose Mourinho has his third EPL title in the bag. His Chelsea have a six-point lead over Manchester City with a match in hand. City are on freefall and it’s difficult to foresee them topple the Blues. Manuel Pellegrini’s side would be more concerned about staving off Arsenal’s challenge for the second place. Chelsea have been shaky of late but the stellar work they had done at the start of the season will stand them in good stead.
FRANCE:
The most intense race is in Ligue 1 that doesn’t have a reputation either for an exciting climax or goals. Only a point separates the top three. Monaco are not yet out of contention as they trail leaders PSG by only six points. PSG, who are up and running thanks to the backing of Qatari oligarchs, have little margin for error because their lead is as slim as a top model’s midriff. The distraction of the Champions League will not allow them to concentrate on the league. Second-placed Lyon and Marseille, who are third, will be waiting to pounce on any slip-up from the capital club.
GERMANY:
The Bundesliga race is only about the second place because Bayern Munich are in a different league. With a 10point lead after 26 matches, the giants of German football have one hand on the trophy. It’s only a question of when for Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut. Bayern’s dominance is turning people off the Bundesliga because a title race without drama is like an Oktoberfest without beer. ITALY: Don’t be fooled by a headline like this: Roma
keep pace with Juve. The race is long over in Serie ‘A’ as Juventus have a 14-point lead over Roma with 10 matches to go. Only trophy presentation is pending. The Old Lady has virtually no competition. Pursuers will have a chance only if Juve play their basketball team in the remaining matches. The decline of Milan clubs has accentuated the Turin club’s dominance. An extended run in the Champions League is proof that Juve are a cut above the rest in Serie A.
SPAIN:
There would be no prizes for guessing that the La Liga title would go to one of the teams involved in El Clasico. The title is Barcelona’s to lose after their win over Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday that opened up a four-point lead at the top. Barca and Real are certainly not invincible as they have lost four and six matches respectively this season but trust them to grit their teeth to grind out results on the home run. Luis Suarez has recaptured the form that made him a heartthrob in Liverpool last season and it’s the surest sign that Barca are set to go all the way.