Season 4 - Match Day 35 Preview

The first proper weekly review in this seasons countdown with 4 games left to play who be in the clouds and who will be Claudio is starting to become clearer, so without further a pun on we go …..

Division 1

The title is now a 2 horse race with Reals defeat at the weekend ending any slim hope they had of catching the leaders Bayern, that hope lays with Barca who need 6pts more than the table toppers to reclaim their crown.

The Champions Cup places are all sorted with Bayern, Barca and Real being joined by Juve in next seasons competition.

The automatic Champions Shield spots are far from being decided with clubs from Chelsea in 5^th down to Napoli in in 13^th all being in contention, whilst Arsenal are still mathematically in the mix they will be more concerned about securing their 1^st Division status next season.

In that basement battle Lazio in 20^th are on the verge of the drop, failure to beat fellow relegation battlers Schalke on Sunday will see them relegated, even victory could see them down if Man City match that result against Napoli.

Schalke in 19^th will live to fight another day regardless of this weekends results but will be hoping to gain ground on both Atletico and Zenit above them who in turn will be looking to claw back on Man City and Monchengladbach who sit just out of the relegation places.

Arsenal meanwhile could secure that Div 1 status if they pull off a shock victory at home to Bayern and Zenit lose at Spurs.

Division 2

Roma look to have hit form at the right time having leap frogged Everton on goal difference to head the table but they face stiff competition from the Toffees and Man Utd to claim the title. Wolfsburg still have an outside chance of stealing that silverware but realistically will be looking at trying to secure an automatic promotion spot together with other contenders Southampton, Inter and Internacional who will all still be harbouring hopes of sneaking through the door.

Those not making it will be looking to ensure they at least secure a play-off place with Sevilla, Fiorentina, Genoa and possibly Ajax looking for any slip ups above them to make it into the end of season lottery.

At the foot of the table defeat for Newcastle at Everton will see them all but relegated and definitely down if they fail to win and Benfica manage to get any result at Shakthar.

A Benfica win would also see their opponents Shakthar pushed to the brink whilst Villa will be looking for a result at home to Lyon and CSKA likewise away to Genoa to improve their chances of overhauling Benfica, Spartak and Lyon above them.

Both Fenerbahce and Leverkusen will also be looking for points to put themselves clear of danger and avoid any last day sweats.

Division 3

Promotion and the title is likely to be fought out by the top four of Sporting, Swansea, Villarreal and Boca whilst both Athletic Club and Leicester will hope to capitalise on any slips above them to bring themselves into serious contention.

The battle for the play-offs is likely to extend down as far as PSV in 13^th but they will also be looking over their shoulder to ensure they are drawn into the relegation dog fight.

In that basement Stuttgart look likely to be first to falter and anything short of victory against Swansea on Sunday will see their fate confirmed, even victory could see them drop if Stoke gain a point against Leicester.

Udinese could also go through the trap door if the suffer defeat at the hands of Sporting and Stoke win, whilst Basel can’t go down this weekend their fate would almost be assured with defeat to Marseille.

Palace sitting 4^th from bottom will be hoping to leap frog Stoke, Galatasaray and Besiktas above them if any of that trio suffer defeat and Palace manage a home win against Sao Paulo.

As mentioned PSV still are far from safe sitting 5pts above the drop zone whilst Cruzeiro and Sao Paulo above them are probably safe with a 7pt cushion.

Division 4

Hellas Verona have already assured themselves of 3^rd Division football next season and victory against local rivals Chievo or defeat for Sassuolo to Montpellier would see them claim the title.

The remaining promotion places are being fought for by Sassuolo, Liege, Sampdoria, St Etienne and Chievo Verona with Olympiacos and Dnipro more likely to make it through the play-offs than automatically.

The other contenders for the play-off places include AZ, Atalanta and Hoffenhem, Dynamo and Feyenoord though still not mathematically out of the picture will be more concerned about securing their status for next season.

In the basement battle West Ham are all but relegated if they lose at home to River Plate and whilst the latter and Montpellier will be put on the brink if they fail to win.

Lille currently sitting 4^th from bottom have given themselves a fighting chance with recent form and victory over Atalanta is likely to pull them out of the drop zone with there being only 3pts between them and Feyenoord four places above them in 13th.

Between these two sit Zagreb, Monaco and Bordeaux who will be desperate for points to avoid being pulled down in to the bottom four.

Division 5

The tightest division of all when it comes to the promotion scrap with Celtic, Dynamo, Celta Vigo, Santos and Torino all having good chance of making the cut.

The pair that don’t make it are likely to be joined in the play-offs by any two from Hertha, Malaga, Levante Rubin Kazan, Independiente and Brugge though the latter two will have to rely on some serious slip ups from those above them.

At the foot of the table West Brom can only catch Anderlecht to avoid the wooden spoon again this season though with only four wins all season it is unlikely they will pull back the 6 point gap in four games.