Europe's title equations
With one round to go in most leagues across Europe, we look at what's at stake at both ends of the table throughout the continent.
LaLiga
The title equation:
Real Madrid must either draw or beat Malaga to claim the title. Barcelona can win by finishing level with Madrid, due to its superior head-to-head record.
Real Madrid is three points ahead of eternal rival Barcelona with one match remaining, lending the title a fait accompli type feel. It might not be as easy as turning up for the trophy presentation though, Madrid faces a tough trip to a Malaga side prone to bouts of giant-killing. The 'Boquerones' ensured Madrid had an easier path to the title with a 2-0 home win over Barcelona last month. It would be ironic indeed if they were to take it away with another upset on Monday.
For Barcelona's part, it must beat Eibar at Camp Nou, to give itself the best chance of producing a stunning eleventh-hour swoop for the silverware.
The relegation battle:
Sporting Gijon will go down, with Granada and Osasuna, even if it finishes level on points with Deportivo La Coruna, due to the latter's superior head-to-head record this season. Depor has won both encounters.
Europe places:
Eyes will be on the battle for sixth-place and the second UEFA Europa League place, with Real Sociedad a good chance to sneak in ahead of Athletic Bilbao. Level on points, both sides are away on the last day, but it's Bilbao with the more daunting assignment, drawing Atletico Madrid in it's last ever match at the Vicente Calderon. Sociedad's Europe hopes hinge on a trip to Celta Vigo.
Where to watch it on beIN:
- Malaga v Real Madrid, Monday 4am beIN 1
- Barcelona v Eibar, Monday 4am beIN 2
Serie A
The title equation:
Second-placed Roma is four points off Juventus with two matches remaining.
Roma must come away with at least a win and a draw to go level with Juventus and claim the title on goal difference. two wins would be ideal, although Juve can put the whole thing to bed with a win at home to Crotone this week.
The relegation battle:
That may be easier written than done, with Crotone desperate to avoid relegation. It's battling with Empoli and Genoa NOT to be the team that joins Palermo and Pescara in Serie B next season. Just two points separate 16th and 18th in one of the continent's more intriguing survival fights.
Europe places:
Competition for Europe is alive and well in Italy, where Napoli rests in the UEFA Champions League play-off spot and AC Milan and Lazio headline a five-way battle for the three UEFA Europa League spots. Napoli will be desperate to overhaul Roma for an automatic place, while Fiorentina and Internazionale will be gunning for the sixth UEL spot, although for the latter, the Europe dream is rapidly fading.
Where to watch it on beIN:
- Juventus v Crotone, Sunday 11pm beIN 1
Bundesliga
The title equation:
This equation is solved, Bayern Munich with an insurmountable 13-point lead ahead of the final round of matches.
The relegation battle:
Now here's where things get a lot more interesting in Germany. Hamburg is in the play-off spot, two points adrift of three teams level on 37 points. One of those teams is Wolfsburg, which Hamburg hosts in what may turn out to be a final-day shootout to avoid the relegation play-off against the third-placed 2.Bundesliga team. Then again, if Hamburg and Wolfsburg draw and the other two 37-pointers - Augsburg and Mainz - lose, both traditional giants will survive. Our guess is neither will be playing for the draw though.
Europe places:
Hoffenheim and Dortmund are battling it out for the third automatic UEFA Champions League place, with both enjoying fairly straightforward assignments at home. Dortmund hosts Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim welcomes Augsburg. Freiburg occupies the last automatic UEFA Europa League spot, but its bizarre -15 points differential could open the door for some final-day heroics from one of Bremen or Cologne.
Where to watch it on beIN:
- Bayern v Freiburg, Saturday 11.30pm, beIN 3
LIGUE 1
The title equation:
This equation is solved, Monaco won its game-in-hand on Thursday (AEST) to edge PSG for the crown.
The relegation battle:
With Monaco signing off on one of Europe's more entertaining title races, attention now swings to the southern end of the ladder, where the spectre of relegation hovers ominously over four teams: Bastia, Lorient, Caen and Dijon. if one of the four can produce an upset against more fancied: Marseille, Bordeaux, PSG and Toulouse respectively, they may just scrape out of the drop zone.
Europe places:
Bordeux (away at Lorient) has a chance to snatch the second Europa League spot from Marseille (home to Bastia), but it won't fancy its chances, Marseille enjoying the easier of the two matches - both against relegation-threatened teams.
Where to watch it on beIN:
- PSG v Caen, Sunda 5am beIN 3
