Since our last installment, the landscape of European football has changed, but in a predictable fashion. The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 have seen their giants succeed. The Bundesliga is still wide open and creating the top of the table buzz we all hope for. This might be the year to watch the relegation battles. Each league has some interesting storylines and tight races. This might be the year to find Ligue 1 Sochaux on the tube or watch Serie B-bound Bologna and their league best goalscorer Marco Di Vaio, make some magic. While we all expect the giants to take the table, these races are why we watch the game. Enjoy!
English Premier League
As the EPL season has progressed, we have witnessed a return to normalcy. The ‘Big Four’ are back on top and Manchester United controls its own destiny. With one game in hand and a 3 point lead, it appears as though they will have the mettle to finish this season off with yet another title to their name. Liverpool has played well, but their inability to win, rather than draw, has cost them. While Chelsea has endured their midseason turmoil, the arrival of Guus Hiddink has reenergized the club and they not threaten for both the FA Cup and the Champions League!
As we enter the final stretch, we are left with two intriguing storylines. Fulham, who dramatically escaped relegation last season, is attempting to crack into European competition and currently sits in 9th, within just 1 point of West Ham United and Manchester City as the three continue to fight for the final spot in Europa Cup action.
Also, as the season winds down, the relegation battles heat up. Can Alan Shearer help Newcastle escape the drop zone or will they see Championship action for the first time since 1989?
Top of the Table
Manchester Utd. (80pts)
Liverpool (77pts)
Chelsea (74pts)
Arsenal (68pts)
Everton (56pts)
The Cellar
Newcastle United (31pts)
Middlesborough (31pts)
West Bromwich Albion (28pts)
Top Goalscorer
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester Utd. (17goals)
La Liga (Liga BBVA)
Saturday’s ‘El Classico’ decided the title. Although statistically Real Madrid still has an outside chance to catch Barcelona on points, Barcelona truly showed why they are a Champions League semi-finalist. Playing on the road, Leo Messi, Thierry Henry and two defenders scored in a 6-2 thrashing of defending La Liga Champions, Madrid.
While the two giants have run the table this season, there are still a few reasons to watch La Liga. Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Villareal are all within one point while the top team enters the Champions League. In the cellar, all three teams took points this weekend and continue to fight to avoid relegation. There are six teams within 3 points of the drop zone.
Who will leave La Liga at the end of the year? Can Diego Forlan or David Villa (each with 25 goals) catch Samuel Eto’o for the Pichichi Trophy for most goals scored?
Top of the Table
Barcelona (82pts)
Real Madrid (78pts)
Sevilla (60pts)
Valencia (56pts)
Atletico Madrid (55pts)
The Cellar
Sporting de Gijon (34pts)
Recreativo (33pts)
Numancia (31pts)
Top Goalscorer
Samuel Eto’o – Barcelona (27goals)
German Bundesliga
What a season!! While the majority of the European leagues have been dominated by the traditional powers; the Bundesliga campaign of 2008/2009 has continued in stark contrast. The first half of the season saw newcomers Hoffenheim explode behind the scoring of Vedad Ibisevic, while Bayern Munich faught to keep pace.
However, Ibisevic’s injury has left the league wide open and we have been treated with a surely riveting final month. The top five are all within 5 points of leaders Wolfsburg, with sensational Brazilian scorer Grafite. Dissent within the walls at Bayern has led to the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann and recent comments from French international Franck Ribery, asserting that a third place or worse finish will drive him from the club. The relegation battle will feature US international Michael Bradley scrapping for points to help Monchengladbach escape the drop. A tough loss to Bayern Munich this past weekend was a tough pill to swallow, but the question persists, have they waited too long?
Does Bayern Munich get the points needed for Champions League qualification? Will this next month make you a bigger fan of the German League?
Top of the Table
Wolfsburg (60pts)
Bayern Munich (57pts)
Hertha BSC Berlin (56pts)
Stuttgart (55pts)
Hamburg (55pts)
The Cellar
Arminia Bielefeld (26pts)
Monchengladbach (24pts)
Karlsruhe (23pts)
Top Goalscorer
Grafite – Wolfsburg (23goals)
Italian Serie A
It seems as though the return of AC Milan to Serie A has settled any doubt that the scandals of past years would change the league forever. While the rivalries between Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus continue, they have established themselves as the class of the league once more and have run away with the Italian first division yet again. Napoli’s drop in the second half of the season (5th to 12th) has surprised many in an otherwise quiet season.
Has the Serie A action this year let you down? Is the parity in the Italian league more of an issue than the other European top flights?
Top of the Table
Inter Milan (77pts)
AC Milan (70pts)
Juventus (66pts)
Fiorentina (61pts)
Genoa (60pts)
The Cellar
Bologna (29pts)
Lecce (28pts)
Reggina (27pts)
Top Goalscorer
Marco Di Vaio – Bologna (21goals)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Inter Milan (21goals)
French Ligue 1
The end of the 2008-2009 French Ligue 1 is lining up to feature an intriguing finish at the top and bottom of the table. With Lyon 7 points adrift, it looks as though Marseille and Bordeaux will duke it out to take the title. Also, Lyon will try to hold off the consistent charge of PSG to hang onto their typical Champions League entry.
On the other end of the table, four teams within a single point with fight to deny relegation. With four games to go, Sochaux (33pts) will take on both Caen (34pts) and Nantes within the relegation battle.
Will these races help to bring Ligue 1 to the forefront of European football for you? What are your predictions?
Top of the Table
Marseille (68pts)
Bordeaux (68pts)
Lyon (61pts)
Paris Saint-Germain (60pts)
Toulouse (58pts)
The Cellar
Nantes (33pts)
St. Etienne (32pts)
Le Havre (24pts)
Top Goalscorer
Andre-Pierre Gignac – Toulouse (21goals)
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