As the European league season winds down to the final few weeks of the season, things are heating up. While most of the attention in the United States is on the English Premier League and the race between unlikely title contenders in Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur, there are plenty of leagues with amazing races as well.
So, if you want to get a jump on what teams will matter in the next Champions League or just simply want to get away from all the EPL-centric coverage we’ve got you covered.
Here are the 4 Non-EPL title races worth watching…
German Bundesliga
Title Contenders — Bayern Munich (66 points), Borussia Dortmund (61 points)
A five-point lead with eight games left to be played? You’d think this was the EPL or something, but the most entertaining league in Europe could also have one of the best title races it has seen in a few seasons on its hands.
While the two contenders won’t meet for the rest of the season, and a recent 0-0 tie saw Dortmund’s chances for real pressure on the leaders fall off, there is plenty of action still to go. Bayern Munich still have three big matches left against the likes of Schalke, Borussia Monchengladbach and Hertha Berlin.
It may seem unlikely that the league leaders drop points in many games, but Dortmund need to see just a few draws or a loss to really start putting pressure on the league leaders. Even if Bayern stay in control, we’re bound to be entertained.
Serie A
Title Contenders — Juventus (67 points), Napoli (64 points)
Seeing Juve struggle to control the domestic league is a new thing in recent memory. With both Milan clubs struggling on historic levels, Juve has had the run of the league and have won the last four scudettos.
That may well change as the Italian Serie A season winds down though, as Juve face a tough slog ahead in the final nine games of the season. Up first is the Turin derby with Turino, while there are also matches with AC Milan and Fiorentina to worry about. The latter two are fighting hard for the two Europa League spots out of Italy, meaning both will be up for those matches.
On the other hand, Napoli face a much easier road to the scudetto thanks to just a lonely matchup with Inter remaining against the top of the league. There’s also matchups with the two worst teams in Serie A to buoy results as well.
Simply put, these two teams can’t afford draws or losses in the final nine games and it may be the first team to blink that gets shut out of the title.
Scottish Premiership
Title Contenders — Celtic (66 points), Aberdeen (65 points)
The Old Firm will get played this season…just not in the Scottish Premiership, and without it the once mighty Celtic have begun to struggle back to the pack in Scottish football. No more evidence of that slide is needed than standing one point (with one game in hand) clear of title challengers Aberdeen this late in the season.
To their credit, Aberdeen have been in great form as of late and a recent 2-1 win over Celtic have put them within striking distance of the historical giants. With Celtic facing a Scottish Cup tie against hate rival Rangers next month, Aberdeen has the advantage of not having to pay attention to any other competition outside of the league.
Will that pay off? Much is yet to be determined as the split between the top six and bottom six hasn’t happened yet. With at least eight more matches left for both sides, this is a race that at the least won’t be as comfortable as the last two campaigns have been for Celtic.
There will be no popping championship champagne for the hoops in March like they have been and this could be a battle right to the bitter end.
Dutch Eredivisie
Title Contenders — PSV Eindhoven (66 points), Ajax (65 points)
Seeing a theme yet? Most of the big European leagues have weeded themselves out to just two real title contenders to date. The Dutch Eredivisie is no different and it helps that the two most recognizable clubs in Dutch football are at the top of the division.
Both have played 27 games and with seven games remaining, just one point separates them at the top of the table. Ajax sit a cool 19 points clear of arch-rival Feynood for second place so all eyes are on the title.
Unlike other races though, these two squads can decide the title right here and right now. That’s because PSV and Ajax meet up in the next round of Eredivisie in Eindhoven. Both sides need the win in the worst way, while a tie won’t help settle anything. Let’s just say this matchup will be a juicy one to watch in the next few weeks.
