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Title Race Special: Who Is Going To Win Europe's Top Leagues?
Goal.com's panel of experts give their predictions as to who will emerge triumphant as the league championships across Europe enter their dramatic final phase...
Mar 4, 2010 12:00:00 PM
Compiled by Patrick Reilly
AC Milan, Ajax, Arsenal, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benfica, Besiktas, Bordeaux, Borussia Dortmund, Bursaspor, Chelsea FC, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern München, FC Internazionale, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Hamburg, LOSC Lille Métropole, Man Utd., Montpellier HSC, Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais, Porto, PSV, Real Madrid CF, Roma, Schalke 04, Sporting Braga, Twente, Werder Bremen
Odds Supplied by Titanbet
Sir Alex Ferguson calls it "squeaky bum time." Yes folks, the title race is hotting up across Europe so we've called in our own big hitters to provide their expertise. In England we have a three way scrap, across the channel in France plucky upstarts Montpellier are making waves, Bayern Munich are on a hot streak in Germany, unbeaten PSV and Steve McClaren's Twente are trading blows in Holland, Inter are going for five in a row in Italy, Benfica and Braga are the contenders in Portugal and arguably the best drama is in Spain, where brilliant Barcelona are being pushed to the wire by big-spending Real Madrid, all of which leaves us with Turkey where Galatasaray are fending off unknown Buraspor.
Sit back, relax and enjoy our expert analysis as the domestic leagues get back underway this weekend. Why not get involved and leave some predictions of your own.
Sulmaan Ahmad - Goal.com UK Chief Editor
"It's back on and it's closer than it has ever been this season in the Premier League. Chelsea's crushing defeat at home to Manchester City came in conjunction with an impressive and unexpected Arsenal comeback in the face of adversity at Stoke, while Manchester United also rallied to come from behind to secure victory in the League Cup - no doubt a buoying experience that will pay off in the league race as well. The momentum is with the chasing pack, but the squad strength, on paper, remains at Stamford Bridge - as do the points on the board. The run-in is easiest for Arsenal, but combining everything to the fullest are Manchester United. They could just sneak in and get a fourth title in a row.
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"I backed Chelsea at the start of the season and that's who I'm sticking with. They have just enough to see themselves over the line. A 'last hurrah' for an ageing side, but one that will prevail."
Ligue 1 Title Odds: Bordeaux 4/9, Lyon 9/2, Marseille 5/1, Montpellier 10/1, Lille 14/1, Auxerre 66/1, Monaco 100/1
Robin Bairner, Goal.com International's France expert
"The top five sides in Le Championnat are separated by only four points, so a thrilling conclusion to the season appears virtually guaranteed. Rank outsiders Montpellier continue to cling on to their remarkable second place, while dark horses Lille are showing signs of inconsistency. Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille, two traditional powerhouses of the French game, are gaining an impressive head of steam and both have enjoyed a series of fine wins, but leaders Girondins de Bordeaux, who have games in hand over their closest rivals, remain the team to beat.
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"Bordeaux have proved their credentials both at home and abroad."
Bundesliga Title Odds: Bayern Munich 1/4, Bayer Leverkusen 7/2, Schalke 04 12/1, Hamburg 40/1, Borussia Dortmund 100/1, Werder Bremen 100/1
Clark Whitney, Goal.com International's Germany expert
"Thanks to a run of 10 wins in 11 matches, Bayern have been propelled to the top of the league table. Leverkusen remain undefeated, but are off form and have drawn three of their last four matches. Schalke remain clinically efficient and have a brilliant coach in Felix Magath, but lack the firepower to avoid dropping points in big games. Injuries and form can always decide a title race, but as of now, the odds are rightfully tipped in favour of Bayern."
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"Bayern are hitting form at the right time - only an injury crisis can stop them now. I expect Schalke, not Bayer Leverkusen, to finish second.
"The neck-and-neck race between PSV and Twente is going to be settled by the narrowest of margins, and with the Eindhoven side still to play the Tukkers at home I think it'll go PSV's way."
Serie A Title Odds: Inter 2/11, Roma 10/1, Milan 5/1
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com International's Italy expert
"Inter may have seen their lead cut in recent weeks, but they are still strong favourites for the Scudetto. The depth in their squad could prove telling in the final quarter, especially as the most likely challengers in Milan have a small and old roster. Don't rule out the Rossoneri, or even Roma, but Inter hold the aces."
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"The season was over after the last Milan derby. Inter will pick up yet another Scudetto."
Liga Sagres Title Odds: Benfica 1/3, Braga 3/1, Porto 15/2
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"It's got to be Benfica. After spending big in the summer in a bid to win their first title in five years, the Lisbon side have finally begun to overtake Porto. Indeed, Porto are well off the pace, with modest Sporting Braga in fact providing the greatest challenge to the Eagles at the top of the table. But with a thin squad the Minhotos are due to fade away, leaving Benfica with a clear run to the title.
La Liga Title Odds: Barcelona 8/15, Real Madrid 27/20, Valencia 100/1
KS Leong, Goal.com International's Spain expert
"It's down to a two-horse race in La Liga as current league leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid go hammer and tongs at the top of the table. At present, Madrid are the form side and they have the momentum going into the home stretch and they are the favourites, even though Barca have a two-point lead. The title race will most likely come down to the Clasico showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu in early April."
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"Talk of Barcelona's demise is incredibly premature and there is no way they won't hoist the trophy aloft."
Super Lig Title Odds: Galatasaray 2/3, Fenerbahce 5/2, Buraspor 5/1, Besiktas 13/2
Ceyhun Bayel, Goal.com Turkey Manager
"Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas are the three giants of Turkey. In the Super Lig Galatasaray are in first position, five points ahead of Fenerbahce and eight points above Trabzonspor, while in second place we have Bursaspor, who have been the surprise team of the season. It's hard for Bursaspor to go on in this race until the end so we can take it that it will be the big three who will compete for the title. Galatasaray are playing better than the other two and have Milan Baros and Harry Kewell returning, and they will help them improve, Besiktas are inconsistent while Fenerbahce's squad isn't deep enough to last the pace. They haven't won in seven games and their form is dropping. Galatasaray are in with the best chance of the championship.
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"Bursaspor are going to keep up appearances until the last, much as Sivasspor did last season, but Galatasaray will make this a record-breaking season with their 18th title."
Agree with the predictions from our experts? How do you think the top leagues will fare out? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think...
A comprehensive list of football betting markets from all around the world is available on the Titanbet website
Sir Alex Ferguson calls it "squeaky bum time." Yes folks, the title race is hotting up across Europe so we've called in our own big hitters to provide their expertise. In England we have a three way scrap, across the channel in France plucky upstarts Montpellier are making waves, Bayern Munich are on a hot streak in Germany, unbeaten PSV and Steve McClaren's Twente are trading blows in Holland, Inter are going for five in a row in Italy, Benfica and Braga are the contenders in Portugal and arguably the best drama is in Spain, where brilliant Barcelona are being pushed to the wire by big-spending Real Madrid, all of which leaves us with Turkey where Galatasaray are fending off unknown Buraspor.
Sit back, relax and enjoy our expert analysis as the domestic leagues get back underway this weekend. Why not get involved and leave some predictions of your own.
Sulmaan Ahmad - Goal.com UK Chief Editor
"It's back on and it's closer than it has ever been this season in the Premier League. Chelsea's crushing defeat at home to Manchester City came in conjunction with an impressive and unexpected Arsenal comeback in the face of adversity at Stoke, while Manchester United also rallied to come from behind to secure victory in the League Cup - no doubt a buoying experience that will pay off in the league race as well. The momentum is with the chasing pack, but the squad strength, on paper, remains at Stamford Bridge - as do the points on the board. The run-in is easiest for Arsenal, but combining everything to the fullest are Manchester United. They could just sneak in and get a fourth title in a row.
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"I backed Chelsea at the start of the season and that's who I'm sticking with. They have just enough to see themselves over the line. A 'last hurrah' for an ageing side, but one that will prevail."
Ligue 1 Title Odds: Bordeaux 4/9, Lyon 9/2, Marseille 5/1, Montpellier 10/1, Lille 14/1, Auxerre 66/1, Monaco 100/1
Robin Bairner, Goal.com International's France expert
"The top five sides in Le Championnat are separated by only four points, so a thrilling conclusion to the season appears virtually guaranteed. Rank outsiders Montpellier continue to cling on to their remarkable second place, while dark horses Lille are showing signs of inconsistency. Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille, two traditional powerhouses of the French game, are gaining an impressive head of steam and both have enjoyed a series of fine wins, but leaders Girondins de Bordeaux, who have games in hand over their closest rivals, remain the team to beat.
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"Bordeaux have proved their credentials both at home and abroad."
Bundesliga Title Odds: Bayern Munich 1/4, Bayer Leverkusen 7/2, Schalke 04 12/1, Hamburg 40/1, Borussia Dortmund 100/1, Werder Bremen 100/1
Clark Whitney, Goal.com International's Germany expert
"Thanks to a run of 10 wins in 11 matches, Bayern have been propelled to the top of the league table. Leverkusen remain undefeated, but are off form and have drawn three of their last four matches. Schalke remain clinically efficient and have a brilliant coach in Felix Magath, but lack the firepower to avoid dropping points in big games. Injuries and form can always decide a title race, but as of now, the odds are rightfully tipped in favour of Bayern."
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"Bayern are hitting form at the right time - only an injury crisis can stop them now. I expect Schalke, not Bayer Leverkusen, to finish second.
Stefan Coerts, Goal.com International's Dutch expert
"PSV are still unbeaten after 25 games and are the clear favourites for the Eredivisie title. Twente haven't given up yet though and trail the Eindhoven side by only one point. PSV host Twente on March 20 in what will probably be the decisive game in the race for the Eredivisie title and I expect PSV to win it. They have more individual class with players such as Ibrahim Afellay and Balazs Dzsudzsak, while Twente lack the depth to cope with injuries and suspensions. Ajax still have a minor chance of winning the league too, but they can only hope that the other two sides spill points."
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor"The neck-and-neck race between PSV and Twente is going to be settled by the narrowest of margins, and with the Eindhoven side still to play the Tukkers at home I think it'll go PSV's way."
Serie A Title Odds: Inter 2/11, Roma 10/1, Milan 5/1
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com International's Italy expert
"Inter may have seen their lead cut in recent weeks, but they are still strong favourites for the Scudetto. The depth in their squad could prove telling in the final quarter, especially as the most likely challengers in Milan have a small and old roster. Don't rule out the Rossoneri, or even Roma, but Inter hold the aces."
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"The season was over after the last Milan derby. Inter will pick up yet another Scudetto."
Liga Sagres Title Odds: Benfica 1/3, Braga 3/1, Porto 15/2
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"It's got to be Benfica. After spending big in the summer in a bid to win their first title in five years, the Lisbon side have finally begun to overtake Porto. Indeed, Porto are well off the pace, with modest Sporting Braga in fact providing the greatest challenge to the Eagles at the top of the table. But with a thin squad the Minhotos are due to fade away, leaving Benfica with a clear run to the title.
La Liga Title Odds: Barcelona 8/15, Real Madrid 27/20, Valencia 100/1
KS Leong, Goal.com International's Spain expert
"It's down to a two-horse race in La Liga as current league leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid go hammer and tongs at the top of the table. At present, Madrid are the form side and they have the momentum going into the home stretch and they are the favourites, even though Barca have a two-point lead. The title race will most likely come down to the Clasico showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu in early April."
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"Talk of Barcelona's demise is incredibly premature and there is no way they won't hoist the trophy aloft."
Super Lig Title Odds: Galatasaray 2/3, Fenerbahce 5/2, Buraspor 5/1, Besiktas 13/2
Ceyhun Bayel, Goal.com Turkey Manager
"Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas are the three giants of Turkey. In the Super Lig Galatasaray are in first position, five points ahead of Fenerbahce and eight points above Trabzonspor, while in second place we have Bursaspor, who have been the surprise team of the season. It's hard for Bursaspor to go on in this race until the end so we can take it that it will be the big three who will compete for the title. Galatasaray are playing better than the other two and have Milan Baros and Harry Kewell returning, and they will help them improve, Besiktas are inconsistent while Fenerbahce's squad isn't deep enough to last the pace. They haven't won in seven games and their form is dropping. Galatasaray are in with the best chance of the championship.
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com International Chief Editor
"Bursaspor are going to keep up appearances until the last, much as Sivasspor did last season, but Galatasaray will make this a record-breaking season with their 18th title."
Agree with the predictions from our experts? How do you think the top leagues will fare out? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think...
A comprehensive list of football betting markets from all around the world is available on the Titanbet website
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