Is the Scottish title race the most exciting in Europe?

Is the Scottish title race the most exciting in Europe?

Dale Johnson

Football issues correspondent
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Sunday was a dramatic day in the three-way battle for the Scottish Premiership title.

First up, Celtic came from two goals down to snatch a 3-2 victory at Kilmarnock – with Julian Araujo scoring the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Then there was a six-pointer between Rangers and Hearts at Ibrox. Twice the away side took the lead, only for a Youssef Chermiti hat-trick to transform the game and give Danny Rohl’s side a 4-2 win.

It left the three teams separated by just three points: Hearts on 57, Rangers on 55 and Celtic on 54.

Celtic have a game in hand, away at Aberdeen on 4 March, which could leave the trio within two points of each other.

There are several close two-team title races across Europe.

In France, there is just one point between Lens and Paris St-Germain.

And in Spain, Real Madrid are two points behind Barcelona with a game in hand.

But in both those leagues there is a sizeable gap to third place.

Austria – Four teams separated by two points

Philipp Wiesinger, Johannes Eggestein, Abubakr Barry and Manfred Fischer of Austria Vienna celebrate a goal against Rapid ViennaGetty Images

The Austrian Bundesliga seems to be the league in which any one team can beat any other. Indeed, there is an argument that this is the best title race in Europe.

With 19 games played, just two points separate the top four. Of those, only Austria Vienna managed to win at the weekend with league leaders RB Salzburg drawing at second-bottom Grazer AK.

But it goes deeper than that.

In the 12-team league, a mere six points covers the top six, with nine points across the top 10. Only the bottom two clubs are truly disconnected from the rest.

A little bit like Scotland does in April, the Austrian top six and the bottom six split away from each other in three weeks.

The points will be halved and rounded down, which will create an even closer title race.

Greece – A title battle which mirrors Scotland

The picture in the Greek Super League is identical to Scotland after PAOK and AEK Athens played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

AEK are top on 49 points, with Olympiakos two points behind after they could also only manage a goalless draw at Levadiakos.

PAOK are on 46 points but have a game in hand, away to Kifisia on 4 March. Win that and there is two points between three teams.

Similar to Scotland, the top four break away after 22 March and will play each other twice to decide the title.

Belgium – Three points between three teams

Sint-Truiden players celebrate after the final whistle after securing a victory against Zulte WaregemGetty Images

It is another unusual season in the Belgian Pro League, with the potential that Sint-Truiden could win the first title in their history.

If they pull it off, it would follow on from Union Saint-Gilloise being crowned champions for the first time in 90 years last season.

Union only drew at the weekend to leave them two points ahead of Sint-Truiden, who needed a late winner to complete a 3-2 comeback victory at home to Zulte Waregem.

But three points behind and waiting to pounce are 19-time champions Club Brugge.

The top six in Belgium will split off on their own after 22 March.

Poland – Eight teams in contention?

The top of the table in the Poland’s Ekstraklasa is very tight, though league leaders Jagiellonia Bialystok have a game in hand.

If Jagiellonia, who drew 0-0 at the weekend, win that fixture the picture is significantly different as they would go six points clear.

Wisla Plock failed to close the gap by losing at home to relegation-threatened Widzew Lodz on Saturday.

But for now six points separate the top eight, with third-placed Gornik Zabrze playing their game in hand on Monday evening.

Kosovo – One point between three teams

It looks very close in the Superleague of Kosovo, with one point between three teams.

The picture will change on Monday, however, with leaders Ballkani at home to fifth-placed Malisheva.

Ballkani could open up a gap at the top, or Malisheva could make the title race even closer.

Related topics

  • Scottish Premiership
  • Football

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