Europe’s enchanting leagues

Here is the low-down on the no-holds-barred contests that promise to go down to the wire

Europe is witnessing intriguing title battles in three major leagues. 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.

Here is the low-down on the no-holds-barred contests that promise to go down to the wire. 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. Arsenal and Leicester City have the joint lead with 44 points each from 22 matches. But being at the top is no assurance for the supporters of the two clubs that a party is in store in May. The lead is so tenuous that a couple of adverse results will see both teams being pegged back in the title race.

Leicester are enjoying an Indian summer but there is a lurking feeling that they would run out of steam on the home stretch. They don’t have a strong enough bench and the mental strength to go all the way. The Gunners are not flawless either and the art of winning a league appears to be beyond them. 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.

Manchester City, a point behind the leaders, are in a good position to reclaim the title. Consistency has eluded them this season but they have the tools and character to have the last laugh. Above anything else, the bulk of the squad knows how to win a league. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are dark horses but their dreams will be riding on the form of Arsenal and City. La Liga: Atletico Madrid are leading Barcelona by a point but the Catalan club have a match in hand. Although Real trail Atletico by four points, they aren’t out of the title race by any means. The appointment of Zinedine Zidane as manager has transformed the club and if the feel-good factor lasts longer than it usually does, Barca and Atletico can’t breathe easy.

A manager with an ability to galvanise his players seldom loses. Zidane has worked hard to be where he is today and the calm authority he must be exuding in the Real dressing room can’t be underestimated. Diego Simeone has a fine Atletico team at his disposal. He has also been there and done it. Messi and Co. are best equipped to finish the job but if the city of Madrid snatches the crown from the grasp of Barcelona, the feat should not be elevated to the realm of a miracle. Serie A: A crazy climax is on the cards with Napoli leading Juventus and Inter by two and four points respectively at the top. 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.

After a disastrous start, Juventus are back to where they belong. The mere sight of the Old Lady of Turin in the adjoining lane is enough to unnerve fellow runners. Inter have been revitalised after the return of their prodigal son, Roberto Mancini. A romantic would like to see Napoli being crowned champions but Juve are too strong to lose out from where they are now.