Fascinating Races to Keep an Eye On as Soccer Restarts

Nicolas Pepe with Arsenal in 2019. Photo by Joe Toth/BPI/Shutterstock (10452702bh)

Can you believe that major soccer has finally returned after the Bundesliga hosted its first action since the COVID-19 pandemic suspended leagues around the world?

While the Bundesliga is still the only major league to have returned, England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, and Italy’s Serie A are also hoping to get back underway over the next several weeks.

There are plenty of intriguing races in each table to keep an eye on once the season returns, so let’s take a look at the most fascinating races to keep an eye on as the season gets back underway.

Bundesliga: The Final 2 Champions League Spots

The Bundesliga has a familiar picture at the top of the table, with Bayern Munich, the strong favorite, leading Borussia Dortmund by four points for the league title.

However, the 3rd and 4th spots will be fought for by three teams that will challenge for Germany’s two final allotted Champions League positions. Upstart Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig are currently 4th and 3rd in the table, respectively, but Bayer Leverkusen is only a couple of points behind a Champions League slot. Will they push to join the party?

La Liga: Will Barcelona or Madrid Take Home the Title?

Spanish soccer fans will not be surprised to see FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the table. Although they were unable to beat Los Blancos this season, drawing at home and losing on the road, the Blaugrana have a slim two-point lead over Real Madrid, which is looking to win its first league title since 2016-17.

This season has been chaotic for both Barcelona, which has dealt with defensive questions and an all-out war between its most important and board, and for Real Madrid, whose flashes of greatness have been contrasted by embarrassing performances against lower-tier sides. Which one can be more consistent and right the ship?

Premier League: Are Spurs and Arsenal Going to Miss Out on Europe?

At this point, there’s no doubt that Liverpool is going to win its first Premier League title in club history and its first domestic league in the 1989-90 season.

However, times aren’t so good for two of England’s historically strong sides, which currently find themselves outside of European slots. Spurs and Arsenal, 8th and 9th in the standings, are set to miss out even on the Europa League if they can’t make up the three point gap that stands between them and Wolves and newly-promoted Sheffield United. Can they avoid the embarrassment of missing out on Europe?

Serie A: Will Lazio Challenge Juventus for the Top?

Few would have ever guessed that, heading into the 2019-20 season, Lazio would be the team to challenge the all-powerful and eight-time reigning Serie A champions Juventus, but they are currently even on points with the Old Lady at the top of the table.

A Matchday 34 clash between the two sides in Turin looms large, with the team’s nearly-spotless domestic records this season making it look all the more likely that this game will be decisive in terms of who takes home the trophy. Could Ciro Immobile’s squad shock the world and deny Juventus of a Serie A title?

Ben loves sports so much but prefers watching other people do it. He prefers not to share what teams he's supporting but he is willing to admit that Lebron James is, in fact, the king.