Clubs on the Verge of Domestic Titles

By: Inara | April 26th, 2008

Though there’s still several weeks left in most European football leagues, some domestic title races are already over. In Portugal, Porto were declared champions (though they might be relegated) while in Greece, Olympiakos won their 36th title (thanks in part to a court decision).

This weekend could see a few more clubs step into the winner’s circle.

In Spain, Real Madrid could win the title with four games to spare if they beat Athletic Bilbao and if both Villarreal and Barcelona fail to win their own respective games (against Real Betis and Deportivo la Coruna).

1. Real Madrid 72 pts +38
2. Villarreal 62 pts +14
3. Barcelona 61 pts +31

In Italy, Inter will claim their third consecutive Scudetto if they beat Cagliari and if Roma lose to Torino. Inter would then be nine points clear with three games to spare, an unassailable lead due to a goal differential as well as a better head-to-head record against Roma.

1. Inter Milan 78 pts +41
2. Roma 72 pts +28
3. Juventus 67 pts +33

In Germany, the Bundesliga title could also be decided this weekend. Bayern can clinch the title if they defeat Stuttgart and if both Werder Bremen and Schalke lose their respective games.

1. Bayern Munich 63 pts +38
2. Werder Bremen 53 pts +21
3. Schalke 51 pts +16

And in England, Manchester United will have one hand on the Premier League title if they defeat Chelsea. The gap between the teams will widen to six points, and given that there will only be two games left to play and Manchester United’s superior goal difference, it seems unlikely that Chelsea will be able to catch up.

1. Man Utd 81 pts +54
2. Chelsea 78 pts +36
3. Arsenal 74 pts +37

However, some title races are far from decided. In France, Lyon are four points ahead of Bordeaux, but there are four games left to play in Le Championnat, so anything is possible. Lyon’s fluctuating form and Bordeaux’s exceptional performances mean that the Ligue 1 title race is no longer a myth.

1. Lyon 71 pts +34
2. Bordeaux 67 pts +24
3. Nancy 56 pts +13

Over in the Netherlands, there are only two games left to decide whether PSV or Ajax will be Eredivisie champions. PSV is three points ahead of Ajax, but Ajax has a better goal difference, so both games count.

1. PSV 72 pts +41
2. Ajax 69 pts +49
3. NAC Breda 63 pts +8

In Scotland, Celtic lead Rangers by two points, but with five games left to play, Rangers will do everything in their power to stop Celtic from winning a third consecutive title.

1. Celtic 77 pts +53
2. Rangers 75 pts +48
3. Motherwell 52 pts +3

In Turkey, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are tied on points while Sivasspor is only three points behind. There are only three games left to play, so any of the following teams could be crowned champions in a few weeks.

1. Fenerbahce 70 pts +37
2. Galatasary 70 pts +36
3. Sivasspor 67 pts +27

Down in Romania, surprise package CFR Cluj are clinging on to the narrowest of leads over Steaua Bucuresti. Both teams are tied on points and on goal differential, but CFR Cluj has a better head to head record. There are three games left to play.