Are you looking for a drink while the pubs and bars are closed? Take a shot every time you hear a commentator or expert referring to the “end of the season” from here on in.
Or not. Because you hear it too often.
In early February, 90 Minutes judged which leagues around Europe had a healthy title race that developed about halfway through the season. After two months, the season enters the final stretch for most divisions, where the top sides are really tested.
There’s no better time to broaden your football intake than now – we all need a break from the hustle and bustle of the Premier League – so here’s a list of the leagues that are set for the most exciting competitions you should turn to.
?? ☀️ A wonderful training day!
? #PSGLOSC pic.twitter.com/7Yga2THxhi
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) March 31, 2021
Table after 30 matches1. PSG – 63 points2. Lille – 63 points3. Lyon – 60 points 4. Monaco – 59 points
The “peasant league” that PSG always wins with ease every season, who would have thought?
The truth is that the stereotype is tired and overplayed; there is plenty of talent emerging during the French top flight, which has resulted in the gap being closed at Les Parisiens. That, and they have underperformed at times.
Also keep in mind that Monaco is fourth on 59 points, and Lille still have to play PSG and Lyon, this one can turn its head completely before the season is out.
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Atletico look shell shocked | Angel Martinez / Getty Images
Table after 30 matches1. Atletico Madrid – 66 points2. Barcelona – 62 points3. Real Madrid – 60 points
Keep in mind that Atletico Madrid had collected 50 points from their first 19 matches of the season, the fact that La Liga is suddenly a three-horse race is astounding.
No, the quality of football is hardly top notch in Spain at the moment, but that does not mean that it is not entertaining. Barcelona have reversed their domestic form in 2021 and Real Madrid are also winning. Athletes, meanwhile, look shaken, and even if it remains theirs to lose, it will be worrying.
La Blaugrana still has to face both of its title rivals; two games that could ultimately reshape the top three once again.
Fenerbahce need their star man to find form KENAN ASYALI / Getty Images
Table after 30 matches1. Inspected – 64 points2. Galatasaray – 61 points3. Fenerbahce – 59 points
Back in February, all three sides were locked together at 48 points. Besiktas now has the points advantage and a game in hand, but the lead is marginal at best.
Mesut Ozil has still not reached the full step for Fenerbahce and is without goals or assists in seven games, which has not given them a boost. He could find form with more fitness, however, which could throw them into the mix again.
There is also a conflict between Galatasaray and Besiktas on the third from last season’s focus, which could blow the doors and decide the title if the procedures remain that close.
Antonio Conte’s Nerazzurri can not take his lead for granted | Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images
Points after 28 matches1. Inter – 65 points2. Milan – 59 points3. Juventus – 55 points
Injuries have largely derailed AC Milan in a largely impressive campaign that has shown that they have revived in domestic ways. Inter now have a six-point advantage and a game in hand, but ten matches is a long time to keep a form run and Inter have shown a lack of bottles before.
Meanwhile, the race for the top four is wide open. Juventus and Atalanta are in third and fourth place with 55 points each, Napoli are fifth with 53, Roma are 50 and Lazio are seventh with 49, just six of the top four.
Juve still have to play Napoli, Atalanta, Inter and Milan, while fans can also look forward to Roma vs Atalanta, Napoli vs Lazio and Lazio vs Milan. Big, decisive games galore in the Italian top flight – the 90s are back.
Another day at work ?? #FridayFeeling | #FCLM pic.twitter.com/HnhzSYfHYM
– FC Lokomotiv Moscow (@fclokomotiv_eng) March 5, 2021
Points after 23 matches:1. Zenith – 48 points2. Spartak Moscow – 44 points3. Lokomotiv Moscow – 40 points
With seven games left, a four-point gap above the table makes it a tense few weeks for Zenit as they look for the Russian Premier League title.
Lokomotiv looks out of the race, but still has to play the two sides in front of them and can just as easily shoot up to the top position as a result. However, they do not dare to look back, as they are evenly on points with two sides in the fourth and fifth, and only one point ahead of the sixth placed Dinamo Moscow.
Osijek can make history with a little more struggle | Pixsell / MB Media / Getty Images
Points after 26 matches:1. Dinamo Zagreb – 60 points2. Osijek – 58 points3. HNK Gorica – 48 points
Zagreb have managed to push themselves in the lead in the Croatian top flight after being even on points with Osijek in early February.
But while they have a game in hand, they only have a two-point lead and still have to travel to Osijek at the end of April, in a match that is likely to decide the title.
Osijek has never won a league title in its history, making them all the more determined not to let the fight slip away from them.
