Messi and Co. La Liga: Atletico Madrid are leading Barcelona by a point but the Catalan club have a match in hand. The race is pregnant with possibilities in the EPL, La Liga and Serie A while it is settled for all practical purposes in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1. The lead is so tenuous that a couple of adverse results will see both teams being pegged back in the title race. But being at the top is no assurance for the supporters of the two clubs that a party is in store in May. After a disastrous start, Juventus are back to where they belong. Inter have been revitalised after the return of their prodigal son, Roberto Mancini. They don’t have a strong enough bench and the mental strength to go all the way. Serie A: A crazy climax is on the cards with Napoli leading Juventus and Inter by two and four points respectively at the top. Another failure should pull the curtain down on Arsene Wenger’s time in north London but don’t bet against seeing him at the Arsenal dugout next season. He has also been there and done it. Diego Simeone has a fine Atletico team at his disposal.
Who, anyway, cares about a league in which the climax is known EPL: At the moment, even predicting the leaders after a week is tough. Diego Maradona, the reigning deity of Naples, has promised to fly down to his old club if Napoli go on to win their third Serie A title.Leicester are enjoying an Indian summer but there is a lurking feeling that they would run out of steam on the home stretch. Consistency has eluded them this season but they have the tools and character to have the last laugh. A romantic would like to see Napoli being crowned champions but Juve are too strong to lose out from where they are now. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are dark horses but their dreams will be riding on the form of Arsenal and City. Although Real trail Atletico by four points, they aren’t out of the title race by any means. The Gunners are not flawless either and the art of winning a league appears to be beyond them. A manager with an ability to galvanise his players seldom loses.
