Saturday witnessed heightened drama in Spain, as Atletico Madrid bettered Real Madrid and Leo Messi’s FC Barcelona in the final standings, to become La Liga Champions, for the first time in seven years. Even the Bundesliga came to a close with Bayern Munich crowned champions, and Borussia Dortmund in the top four.
As we head into the final day of all top European leagues, on Sunday, there’s still plenty of action to watch out for. The English Premier League, the Ligue 1, in France and the Serie A, in Italy, will all witness races for either the top four or the top spot. Here’s a lowdown of everything you need to keep an eye out for, today:
EPL top four battle
Last season’s champions Liverpool have had a difficult season in the absence of their central defenders through injury. But ahead of the last gameweek, they have bounced back to be level on points with FA Cup winners Leicester City at fourth/fifth place; the reds are ahead on goal difference. Both teams are one point behind third-placed Chelsea, as Manchester City and Manchester United have already secured the first and second spots respectively.
The #PL table heading into the final day of the season pic.twitter.com/oHSjC4Glno
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 19, 2021
All of Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester will hope to secure three points in their own games while the other two drop points in order for them to qualify. The latter face a tough opponent in Tottenham Hotspur while the other two face Aston Villa and Crystal Palace respectively.
Ronaldo’s race in Serie A
It’s a similar situation over in Italy. Only one point separates AC Milan (76) at third, Napoli (76) at fourth and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus (75) at fifth, with one last game remaining.
Here’s the updated #SerieATIM Table after #LazioTorino! 👀#WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/ybXj3jCLDx
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 18, 2021
Milan face the toughest fixture out of the three teams though, with a clash against the Atlanta who have secured second spot. A few weeks earlier, Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan were crowned Serie A winners, ending Juventus’ nine-year run atop.
Ligue 1 up for grabs
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint Germain are surprisingly second on the table as we head into the final gameweek. They sit one point behind leaders Lille, who missed the chance to win the league last week by drawing their game against St-Etienne 0-0.
👀 Looking for a way to follow the title race this weekend? 🏆
Thanks to @canalplus we’re broadcasting our multiplex internationally!
🇬🇧 @btsportfootball
🇺🇸 @beINSPORTSUSA— Ligue1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 22, 2021
Even AS Monaco, three points away from the first place, will be hoping for a win and both teams above them to lose, to finish with equal points as Lille.
Building momentum ahead of UCL final
Both finalists for the UEFA Champions League final, to be on May 29, are from England. While Chelsea face a top-four photo finish, Man City have already secured top spot.
The 2021 #UCLfinal is set! 🏆
Manchester City 🆚 Chelsea #UCL pic.twitter.com/9WMV1GzbJu
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 5, 2021
Regardless, both teams will be hoping to up the morale within their dressing rooms through solid performances this weekend. Just FYI, Chelsea had defeated City 2-1 in their EPL meeting earlier this year.
Manchester United aim for silverware
Manchester United have been undefeated on the road all season as they play their final away game against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. If they avoid defeat, they will become only the third team to maintain an undefeated away record in the PL’s history.
🏆 Your 2021 #UELfinal!
Villarreal 🆚 Manchester United! #UEL pic.twitter.com/1c505IjdqJ
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 6, 2021
Like City and Chelsea, they are also in a European final as they meet Villarreal in Poland in the final of the UEFA Europa League on May 26. They will also be looking to avoid injuries and gather momentum ahead of their first final under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Images: Twitter/@Ligue 1, @PremierLeague, @Serie A
