Reflections : The League Title Races

Here is a look at 7 major title races in Europe. Although the ones chosen are not the top 7 in terms of Uefa rankings they are ordered according to the Uefa ranking of 2010 and the Uefa rank of each one is given in brackets.


1. English Premier League ( Rank - 1st )

Contenders :-

i) Manchester United ( 69 points from 31 matches ) - Looking to make it an unprecedented 4th time in a row and also surpass Liverpool as the English club with maximum league titles there is a slight suspicion this could be Sir Alex Ferguson's swansong especially if successful. Wayne Rooney's inspirational form is the other reason for bookies now rating them as the favorites.

ii) Chelsea ( 68 points from 31 matches ) - The exit from the UCL seems to have left some scars. In addition to that the well publicized scandals of leading stars like John Terry and Ashley Cole is said to have damaged the morale at the club. To that there is another problem of some of the stars coming to the end of their contracts and no agreement on a new contract in sight for them. The latest rumor is that the owner Mr. Roman Abramovich has issued an ultimatum that they must win one title at least if they all want a future at the club. Due to several such problems some are rating them as the last of the favorites at the moment but Chelsea is still very much in this title race.

iii) Arsenal ( 67 points from 31 matches ) - After 4 trophy less seasons this time fans desperately want to see some silverware won. Some are still not convinced that this squad has enough resilience in it for facing the toughest of battles but in the last few weeks they have managed to convert at least a few of the erstwhile sceptics. Can Arsene Wenger prove to the whole world that big trophies can be won without spending big money?

Outsiders :-

None since it's clearly between these 3 clubs.


2. Spanish La Primera Liga ( Rank - 2nd )

Contenders :-

i) Barcelona ( 71 points from 28 matches ) - While some say that the team is not at their world beating levels of last season all agree that Lionel Messi is indisputably the best player in the world and unstoppable on his day. Still with tough ties to negotiate in UCL and a team in which certain aspects are still not working that well, is Messi enough to take them to their 2nd successive title against deadly competition from their eternal rivals?

ii) Real Madrid ( 71 points from 28 matches ) - Perhaps the only hope Manuel Pellegrini has of saving his job after an unceremonious exit in the UCL is winning the league title. The team is in good form and is picking up points steadily. El Classico is also approaching. Can the Merengues do enough to win at least one title this season and will it be enough to save face in view of the huge transfer expenditure of last summer?

Outsiders :-

None as it is clearly a 2 horse race between the 2 eternal giants.


3. Italian Serie A ( Rank - 3rd )

Contenders :-

1) Inter Milan ( 63 points from 30 matches ) - After having given one of their best performances in Europe in recent times its ironic that Inter's form in Serie A has not been good. There are suspicions that UCL is their first priority this season. Then again a 2 legged tie against CSKA in UCL is not the kind of competition their league rivals wanted them to have at this stage. Jose Mourinho rarely loses league titles but can he lose this one?

ii) A C Milan ( 59 points from 30 matches ) - Hardly anyone except ardent fans of the club would have predicted them to be title contenders at the start of this season. Coach Leonardo deserves a lot of credit for making very good use of what can be called an aged, overused and undernourished squad. Some still don't think they are good enough to win a league title but perhaps they can capitalize on the slip ups of others.

iii) A S Roma ( 59 points from 30 matches ) - The points table suggests they are at a disadvantage but they also have the easiest run-in of all the contenders. Besides this is a squad with not just a fine first team but good bench options. Coach Ranieri could be called a weakness because he is not known for winning titles.

Outsiders :-

None as it's clearly between these 3.


4. German Bundesliga ( Rank - 4th )

Contenders :-

i) Bayern Munich ( 56 points from 27 matches ) - After a disastrous first few months when he was almost on the verge of being fired Louis Vaan Gaal's team did such an amazing turnaround that they are still alive and kicking in 3 competitions. Will the stress of too many competitions not least of which is a 2 legged tie against English powerhouses Manchester United take its toll or will their superior know how carry them to one more league title?

ii) Schalke ( 55 points from 27 matches ) - It seems Felix Magath particularly enjoys leading different teams to the Bundesliga title and that too while all the time outwardly maintaining that his teams do not have much of a chance. Perhaps he still nurses some grievances against his former employers Bayern Munich and it would double his pleasure if he could beat them to the summit just like last year.

iii) Bayer Leverkusen ( 53 points from 27 matches ) - Coach Jupp Heynckes began in such impressive fashion that one was forced to wonder whether Bayern Munich who employed him as a caretaker for the last few matches of last season should have at all let him go. However then came a not so unexpected slump from a team which was perhaps punching a little above its weight. Can the man who once won the UCL with Real Madrid lead his team to a resurgence and win the race at the death?

Outsiders :-

Maybe Borussia Dortmund but its mainly between these 3.


5. French Ligue 1 ( Rank - 5th )

Contenders :-

i) Bordeaux ( 56 points from 28 matches ) - At one time it seemed like they were destined to win another successive title but form fell and now they are only one of the contenders although arguably they still have the most chance of all. Laurent Blanc is tipped to move to a higher profile job this summer and stars like Maroune Chamakh are even more certain to depart. Can they all sign out on a high or will the European adventures take their toll?

ii) Montpellier ( 56 points from 29 matches ) - When was the last time we saw a promoted team in a title race? And can they actually win it and make history for ages? The deservingly proud coach of this unassuming club calls them the 2nd favorites in the title race after the reigning champions.

iii) Auxerre ( 55 points from 29 matches ) - Another team that's not usually seen in the title race. Are they punching way above their weight this season?

iv) Marseille ( 53 points from 28 matches ) - Their case is quite peculiar. It wouldn't be wrong to say that Marseille have played quite well this season but more often not got the desired results. Something somewhat inexplicable seems to be lacking since the squad has a good number of competent players and a more than able coach in Didier Deschamps who took Monaco to the UCL final in 2004.

Outsiders :-

Both Lyon and Lille have 51 points from 29 matches. France's all conquering team of the last decade is surprisingly far behind but can they still use their years of experience to bridge the gap completely?


6. Portuguese Superliga ( Rank - 9th )

Contenders :-

i) Benfica ( 58 points from 23 matches ) - This has been a long awaited season of joy for Benfica fans. The team has played well and done well almost everywhere. Nothing less than the league title will suffice now.

ii) Braga ( 55 points from 23 matches ) - It's quite a surprise that the greatest challenge comes from not one of the usual giants but this less known team. The gap in points is still very small which should not be forgotten.

Outsiders :-

Although Porto have only managed 47 points from 23 matches they are so used to winning this title that maybe they shouldn't be completely ruled out just yet.


7. Dutch Eridivisie ( Rank - 10th )

Contenders :-

i) Twente ( 71 points from 28 matches ) - He may have become a figure of mirth in his homeland after failing to qualify England for Euro 2008 but Steve McLaren still feels that he has a lot to offer in the coaching world not least of which would be winning a title in a country whose footballing style compared to his homeland is like chalk and cheese and that too with a lesser known club.

ii) Ajax ( 67 points from 28 matches ) - They are Holland's most successful club in Europe and some of Europe's greatest players have made their beginning here. Yet in the last few years they have been overshadowed by PSV in terms of both domestic success and European performance. With PSV not looking that strong this season can they capture the league title after a long time?

iii) PSV ( 66 points from 28 matches ) - Of course consistent giants PSV are by no means out but stuttering form in recent times does not do their fans' confidence any good.

Outsiders :-

None as it's clearly between these 3.