Work Tops For Summer

What's at stake in the top leagues: Titles, European places, relegation battles

The European soccer season is coming to a close, but who is in the race for the titles, European qualification -- and who's fighting relegation?

Budenholzer: I'd coach this Suns team if on moon

Mike Budenholzer got sentimental Friday when describing his childhood in Arizona but quickly turned to the future, telling reporters, "It's mind-boggling to me, like mind-blowing, to think that I'm going to be the head coach of the Phoenix Suns."

Paul Skenes strikes out 11 in 6 no-hit innings, gets 1st win as the Pirates beat the Cubs 9-3

— Paul Skenes struck out 11 over six no-hit innings in his second major league start, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 9-3 on Friday.

Schauffele keeps PGA lead, up 1 on Morikawa

Xander Schauffele holds a 1-stroke lead over Collin Morikawa heading into the third round of the PGA Championship.

Tom Banton, James Rew drive Somerset with twin centuries

Uplifting partnership between young batters gives hosts control on opening day

The 2023-24 season is drawing to a close and the battles for the major honours, relegation and promotion are starting to become clearer.

Here's a quick roundup of what has been decided, and what's still at stake, in the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Spanish LaLiga, Italian Serie A and French Ligue 1.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Premier League - one round to go final day May 19  Title 1. Manchester City (37 games, 88 points) 2. Arsenal (37, 86)

Manchester City will seal the title with a victory at home to West Ham on Sunday. 

For Arsenal to win the title, they must win at home to Everton and Man City lose or draw. 

If Arsenal win and Man City draw, the Gunners would win the title on goal difference. 

Champions League (4)

All four places have now been sealed. 

CONFIRMED

1. Arsenal 2. Man City 3. Liverpool (37, 79) 4. Aston Villa (37, 68) Europa League (2)

As it stands, only fifth gets a Europa League place with the other slot, by right, going to the FA Cup winners. 

Man United take on Man City in the FA Cup final on May 25 (stream live on ESPN+, U.S. only). If Erik ten Hag's team lift the trophy then they will be in the Europa League (UEL). If Man City win the cup, then the UEL position transfers to the sixth place in the Premier League

IN CONTENTION

5. Tottenham Hotspur (37, 63) 6. Chelsea (37, 60)  7. Newcastle United (37, 57) 8. Manchester United (37, 57) 

Despite poor results, Spurs are in a strong position to finish fifth with a three-point lead over Chelsea. Spurs, who are guaranteed at least a place in the Europa Conference League, still need a point away to Sheffield United on Sunday to be absolutely sure of Europa League football.

Chelsea host AFC Bournemouth on Sunday knowing a draw will secure sixth and a Europa Conference League place -- which will become a Europa League berth if Man City win the FA Cup. 

As it stands, Newcastle will need Man City to win the FA Cup for a European place in seventh. To finish sixth, Newcastle must win at Brentford and Chelsea have to lose.

Man United can effectively finish no higher than seventh due to their vastly inferior goal difference against Chelsea. They have to better Newcastle's result to finish seventh and guarantee European football (if they lose the FA Cup final the UECL place goes to seventh).

Europa Conference League (1) Pending the FA Cup final, sixth will go into the Europa Conference League. Chelsea hold it, with Newcastle the only realistic challengers. 

The UECL place will drop to seventh if Man City win the FA Cup. It would still be one of Man United, Newcastle and Chelsea -- one of them will miss out on Europe completely.

If Man United win the FA Cup and finish seventh or eighth, the UECL place goes to sixth. 

Relegation (3)

RELEGATED

19. Burnley (37, 24) 20. Sheffield United (37, 16) 

IN CONTENTION

17. Nottingham Forest (37, 29) 18. Luton Town (37, 26)

Luton are effectively relegated due to their vastly inferior goal difference to fourth-bottom Forest.  On the final day, Luton would need to beat Fulham and Forest lose to Burnley with a goal difference swing of 12. 

Leicester City and Ipswich Town have been automatically promoted to the Premier League. Leeds United and Southampton will contest the Championship playoff final on May 26.

LaLiga - two rounds to go final weekend May 25-26 Title Real Madrid have been crowned champions.

- Stream all LaLiga games live on ESPN+ (US only)

Champions League (4)

All four places have now been sealed.

CONFIRMED

1. Real Madrid (36, 93) 2. Barcelona (36, 79) 3. Girona (36, 75) 4. Atlético Madrid (36, 73) 

Europa League (2)

Athletic won the Copa del Rey and will now be in the Europa League regardless of finishing position. That said, they are almost certain to finish in the top six; we can safely say the place for the cup moves over to the league -- fifth and sixth will enter the UEL.

IN CONTENTION

5. Athletic Club (36, 62) 6. Real Sociedad (36, 57)  7. Real Betis (36, 56)

Real Betis and Real Sociedad are battling it out for sixth. And on Sunday, it's Real Betis vs. Real Sociedad.

Europa Conference League (1) This will go to seventh, most likely either Real Sociedad and Real Betis, while eighth-placed Villarreal (36, 51) require a mini-miracle from here. Relegation (3)

CONFIRMED

19. Granada (36, 21)  20. Almería (36, 17)

IN CONTENTION

14. Las Palmas (36, 38) 15. Rayo Vallecano (36, 38)  16. Celta Vigo (36, 37) 17. Mallorca (36, 36) 18. Cádiz (36, 32) 

Cádiz probably can't believe their luck. Despite back-to-back wins they are still adrift after victories for their rivals.

Cádiz host Las Palmas on Sunday -- can they keep the battle alive? They will be relegated with a defeat, or with a draw if Mallorca (home to bottom-of-the-table Almería) pick up points. 

The other games see Celta Vigo travel to already-relegated Granada, and Rayo Vallecano go to Barcelona.

Bundesliga - one round to go final day May 18 Title Bayer Leverkusen are still unbeaten and have already secured the first championship in their history. 

- Stream all Bundesliga games live on ESPN+ (US only)

Champions League (5)

The Bundesliga has sealed an extra place through the European Performance Spot, which sends the team in fifth to the UCL too. 

CONFIRMED

1. Bayer Leverkusen (33, 87) 2. Bayern Munich (33, 72) 3. VfB Stuttgart (33, 70) 4. RB Leipzig (33, 64) 5. Borussia Dortmund (33, 60)

All five league slots are already confirmed, but there's a possible twist.

WAITING ON DORTMUND

6. Eintracht Frankfurt (33, 46)  7. TSG Hoffenheim (33, 43) 

Dortmund are in the UCL final, and if they win it a UCL place will be given to sixth in the Bundesliga. The European Performance Slot is a league benefit, so it will be an additional place to Dortmund's as titleholders. 

Eintracht Frankfurt, who are guaranteed a place in the UECL at worst, are in sixth but could be overtaken by Hoffenheim on the final day. One of those two teams will be fully backing Dortmund against Real Madrid on June 1. 

Frankfurt need a point at home to RB Leipzig to secure sixth. If they lose, then Hoffenheim can climb above them with a victory at home to Bayern. A small goal difference swing of three is also required.

Europa League (2) There are a few complicating factors to the UEL places, which right now go to sixth in the league (Frankfurt) and the winners of the DFB Pokal.

The final of the DFB Pokal on May 25 (stream live on ESPN+, U.S. only) sees Leverkusen take on Kaiserslautern who, incredibly, could win the cup despite almost being relegated to the third division, as they sit four points above the 2. Bundesliga relegation zone with one game to be played. If Kaiserslautern pull off an almighty shock and do what no other team has done all season (beat Leverkusen), the league slots will be unaltered: sixth into the UEL and seventh into the UECL. If Leverkusen win the final, sixth and seventh will get a place in the UEL.

IN CONTENTION

6. Eintracht Frankfurt (33, 46) 7. TSG Hoffenheim (33, 43) 8. SC Freiburg (33, 42) 

If Dortmund win the UCL, Germany would surrender the place in the UEL earned by Dortmund in the league. So, Dortmund would qualify as UCL titleholders in fifth, with sixth getting the European Performance position. The only way seventh can get a UEL place is if Leverkusen win the cup. 

Europa Conference League (1)

If Kaiserslautern win the cup, then it will be Frankfurt, Hoffenheim or Freiburg who enter the UECL in seventh.

If Leverkusen win the cup then eighth gets the UECL place, and it opens up.

IN CONTENTION

7. TSG Hoffenheim (33, 43) 8. SC Freiburg (33, 42) 9. Heidenheim (33, 39) 10. FC Augsburg (33, 39)  11. Werder Bremen (33, 39)

Hoffenheim will definitely finish in the top eight so, like with Frankfurt, it might just be a question of which competition they play in -- UCL, UEL or UECL. 

Freiburg sit in eighth with a three-point gap to Heidenheim, Augsburg and Werder Bremen.

On the last day, Freiburg travel to relegation-threatened Union Berlin knowing victory, if Hoffenheim draw or lose, could see them finish seventh; a draw would guarantee they finish eighth. But if they lose, they can be overtaken as they have worse goal difference than the three teams below them. 

Heidenheim are at home to Cologne, who have to win to have any chance of staying in the top flight, Augsburg travel to Leverkusen, who haven't lost to anyone all season, and Bremen host Bochum, who could still be relegated.  

Relegation (2+1) Two teams are relegated, while third-bottom takes on third place in the 2. Bundesliga (Fortuna Düsseldorf) in a playoff for the right to play in the top flight.

RELEGATED

18. SV Darmstadt 98 (33, 17)

IN CONTENTION

14. VfL Bochum (33, 33) 15. Mainz (33, 32) 16. Union Berlin (33, 30) 17. FC Cologne (33, 27)

The best Cologne can hope for is 16th and the relegation playoff spot ... by overtaking Union Berlin. To go up to the playoff place, Cologne must win at Heidenheim on Saturday, hope Union lose at home to Freiburg, and there be a goal difference swing of four.

To avoid the playoff Union must win and, due to goal difference, hope Mainz lose at Wolfsburg or VfL Bochum are beaten at Bremen. 

St. Pauli and Holstein Kiel have been automatically promoted into the Bundesliga. 

Serie A - two rounds to go final day May 26 Title Internazionale have wrapped up the Scudetto as runaway champions.

Champions League (5) Like Germany, Italy has secured an extra place in next year's competition through its clubs' performance in Europe this season, meaning at least five clubs will qualify.

CONFIRMED

1. Internazionale (36, 92) 2. AC Milan (36, 74) 3. Bologna (36, 67) 4. Juventus (36, 67)

IN CONTENTION / WAITING ON ATALANTA

5. Atalanta (35, 63)  6. AS Roma (36, 60)  7. Lazio (36, 59)

There's one place up for grabs, which is held by Atalanta in fifth and they have a game in hand and a three-point advantage so are in a very strong position. That extra match is against Fiorentina and both teams are in European finals; the only possible date to play the game is Sunday, June 2 -- a week after the final round of Serie A games is played. Atalanta and Fiorentina will therefore go into the "extra" game in full knowledge of the final position a result will earn.  

AS Roma and Lazio are still in contention, but it's a big ask with two games remaining.

Atalanta, who can finish no lower than seventh so are guaranteed at least UEL football, can seal their place in the UCL if they better Roma's result at the weekend and at least match Lazio's. Atalanta go to Lecce on Saturday, and on Sunday it's Roma vs. Genoa and Lazio are at Inter.   

If Atalanta win the UEL (they face Leverkusen in the final on May 22) then Italy will have six clubs in the UCL -- the top four, Atalanta as UEL titleholders and the European Performance Spot. If Atalanta finish fifth and win the UEL, sixth will play in the UCL too -- meaning Roma and Lazio will be cheering on Atalanta when they face Leverkusen. 

Europa League (2)

Juventus won the Coppa Italia, so sixth and seventh will qualify for the UEL.

IN CONTENTION

5. Atalanta (35, 63) 6. AS Roma (36, 60) 7. Lazio (36, 59) 8. Fiorentina (36, 54) 

Atalanta, Roma and Lazio are the main contenders, with Fiorentina rank outsiders. 

If Atalanta win the UEL to qualify for the UCL and finish fifth, sixth or seventh, Italy will surrender one place in the UEL for the league which Atalanta would have earned. 

Europa Conference League (1)

IN CONTENTION

6. AS Roma (36, 60) 7. Lazio (36, 59) 8. Fiorentina (36, 54) 9. Napoli (37, 52)  10. Torino (36, 50)

Eighth place will enter the UECL, which is currently held by Fiorentina who are favourites with that game in hand. Roma and Lazio could drop into it, but really it's a battle between Fiorentina, Napoli and Torino .

Torino face a tough game at home to AC Milan on Saturday and really need to win it to stay in contention for eighth. If they lose, they are ruled out.

If Fiorentina win the UECL to qualify for the UEL and finish eighth, Italy will surrender its place in the UECL.

Relegation (3)

RELEGATED

20. Salernitana (35, 15) 

IN CONTENTION

14. Hellas Verona (36, 34) 15. Udinese (36, 33)  16. Cagliari (36, 33) 17. Frosinone (36, 32)  18. Empoli (36, 32)  19. Sassuolo (36, 29) 

It's exceptionally tight, with Empoli level on points with Frosinone and within touching distance of Cagliari, Udinese and Hellas Verona.

Sassuolo are three points from safety and on Sunday host Cagliari in a big relegation showdown. They could pull Cagliari right into it, or be doomed. 

Also on Sunday, Udinese are at home to Empoli in another huge six-pointer, and Frosinone go to Monza. Then on Monday, Hellas Verona are at Salernitana.

Parma and Cesc Fàbregas' Como have been promoted to Serie A. Venezia. Cremonese, Catanzaro, Palermo, Sampdoria and Bresica take part in the playoffs.

Ligue 1 - one round to go final day May 19 Title Paris Saint-Germain have already secured the title. 

Champions League (3+1)

France gets three automatic places, with fourth place entering the UCL in the third qualifying round.

CONFIRMED

1. Paris Saint-Germain (33, 73) 2. AS Monaco (33, 64)

IN CONTENTION

3. Lille (33, 58) 4. Brest (33, 58)

Lille and Brest are both assured of Champions League football -- it just depends at which phase. There's a fierce battle for the final guaranteed place and the playoff spot.  

Lille hold third place with their goal difference just two better than Brest's. If goal difference finishes level -- for instance, if Brest win 3-0 and Lille get a 1-0 victory -- the next tiebreaker is head to head rather than goals scored, which is held by Lille. 

On the final day, Lille are at home to Nice while Brest go to Toulouse.

Europa League (2)

The UEL places go to fifth and the winners of the Coupe de France -- PSG take on Lyon on May 25, and a victory for Les Parisiens will send sixth place into the UEL too. 

The place for the league is set

CONFIRMED

5. Nice (33, 54)

IN CONTENTION

6. Lens (33, 50)  7. Lyon (33, 50) 8. Marseille (33, 47)

The other clubs are jockeying for position in the hope PSG win the cup, and sixth goes into the UEL. 

Lens hold that position, level on points with Lyon who have a much worse goal difference. 

Lens are guaranteed sixth with a win at home to Montpellier. 

For Lyon to finish sixth, they would have to better Lens' result when they face Strasbourg at home.

Marseille, who go to Le Havre, trail in eighth but cannot be ruled out as they have the best goal difference. However, they must win and Lyon and Lens have to lose.

Europa Conference League (1)

This is where it gets complicated. Right now it goes to sixth, but if PSG win the Coupe de France the UECL place will go to seventh. If Lyon win the cup and finish sixth, they get a UEL place and seventh gets UECL. 

If Lyon win the cup and finish seventh or eighth, they get a UEL place and sixth gets UECL.

No other clubs are in contention to finish in this position.

Relegation (2+1)

Two teams are relegated, with third-bottom facing a playoff with a team from the second division to remain in Ligue 1. 

RELEGATED

18. Clermont Foot (33, 25)

IN CONTENTION

15. Le Havre AC (33, 32) 16. Metz (33, 29) 17. Lorient (33, 26)

The second automatic relegation place is between Lorient and Metz. But it's looking bleak for Lorient, who must win at home to Clermont Foot while Metz lose at home to PSG and there needs to be a goal difference swing of eight. 

Which leaves Metz probably facing the relegation playoff. To avoid it they must beat PSG, with Le Havre AC losing to Marseille and a goal difference swing of 12.

AJ Auxerre have been promoted to Ligue 1.