Second Part Of Round Up. Division 3,4 & 5

With division 1 & 2 already briefly rounded up, 

we turn our attention to the lower leagues. 

Arsenals Michael Bowes carries on with his verdicts

of the outcomes he feels are likely to happen.

Division 3.

The main talking point of division three is the race for promotion. 6 points separate 1st-6th with another 3 points separating 6th-10th with automatic and plays off still widely open. Ajax, CSKA Moskva & FC Basel currently hold the 3 automatic spaces with Leicester, Marsielle & Aston Villa hot on their tail. Ajax and CSKA have some tough games approaching having to both play 4 of the chasing pack and I feel only 1 of the 2 will come away with an automatic place. Basel have the easier of the top 3 only having to play 2 of the play off chasing pack. Leicester also have a tough run in playing 4 of the teams fighting up near the top. Marsielle have to play 3 with 2 of those games being at home and would be my tip to grab the last automatic spot. Aston Villa have a tough 2 games coming up next with tap toppers Ajax away and CSKA at home but will feel like they will have enough to cement their spot in the plays offs. With it all being so tight at the top I feel nothing will be decided to the last couple of games and have to be one of the leagues to keep an eye on come the end of the season.

Verdict

1. Basel

2. Ajax

3. Marsielle

Division 4.

Like divison 3, it's towards the top where MB will be talking about. 6 points separate 1st-8th and teams feeling the can scrap into the automatic places. Malaga, Southampton & Genoa currently hold those spots but Internacional, Atalanta, Dynamo Moskva, AZ & Torino will all be hoping someone somewhere slips up. Malaga have to play 3 of the chasing pack mentioned and with 2 being at home would be confident to finish in the top 3. Southampton will also strongly fancy their chances with the run in the have, 2 away games at Internacional and Dynamo Moskva will make it tough though. Genoa have the easiest of the run ins with no games against the teams motioned and will certainly feel they have the edge over the rest, Frank Hirst's would be my tip for the title. Internacional have to play 4 of the teams around them but with 4 homes games out of the 6 left will definitely use that to their advantage. Atalanta managed by Sean Cass have done an amazing job to be up there come the closing stages of the season, they play 3 of the chasing sides in the last 4 games with 2 of thosegames away so will certainly do well to stay in touch. Dynamo Moskva have had one hell of a season with Sherief Razzaque and would be a strong contender for manager of the setup this season, no one should write them off and will certainly make the play offs, if they can get through there next 4 games with 7 points or more they will feel they can push on for those automatics, Malaga, Atalanta  and Southampton stand in there way wishin those 4 games. Like Genoa Torino don't have to play anyone which are currently in the top 8 so will feel a play off place is the least they can expect from this season. AZ will also wonder how they're up there with the squad they hold which is a great achievement by Bela Guttmann, with 3 of there 6 games against the current top 8 it's unlikely a automatic is within there reach but a play off spot will definitely be something they want to achieve.

Verdict

1. Genoa

2. Malaga

3. Southampton


Division 5.

Unlike the other divisons, this league isn't as wide open. Villarreal and Feyenoord fight for the title which leaves 1 more automatic spot still to be decided. Stuttgart currently hold that spot who are managed by Feargal a Hickey who have done magnificent since he was appointed and were awarded the Top 100 Sheild beating division 3s Hamburg. Feargal will feel he has a strong chance and keeping the spot there's with a 3 point lead and only having to play 1 team that currently hold a play off spot. Hertha Berlin are the only real challengers to fellow Germans Stuttgart but with  some tough games away to Feyenoord and Celtic along with a home tie with fellow play off contenders Club Brugge a tough run in to close the 3 point gap.


Verdict
1. Villarreal
2. Feyenoord
3. Stuttgart