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There are 9 games to go in the Italian and Spanish leagues and on this week’s show the languagecaster team asks which teams will become champions. There is also another new expression in English for Football
For learners of English there are also:
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Transcripts
One thing is for certain. This yeara€™s Serie A title race is a lot more exciting than last yeara€™s. Last year Inter finished over twenty points ahead of Roma, who were followed by Lazio and then AC Milan. How is it looking this year with nine games to go? At first glance, not much has changed. Inter are top followed by Roma: same as last year. AC Milan are fifth, one off the fourth they secured last year. However, there are a few big differences this time round. The first is Juventus. Yes, the Old Lady is back in town after playing last year in the second tier of Italian football. Led by Ranieri, Juve look to have secured at least a place in the qualifying round for the Champions League and seem set to push on next year to really challenge for the title. Evidence of this can be found in their desire to sign Brazilian star, Diego, from Werder Bremen. They are only five points behind Roma in second, but even a win at Inter this weekend wouldna€™t be enough to finish top -second would be a fantastic finish for them though.
The second big change this year is the points difference at the top. As I mentioned, last year Inter Milan finished 22 points ahead of their nearest rivals. At this stage the gap is eight points. Still a wide margin, but not impossible to close, especially so when you think Inter have only won two of their last eight in all competitions. During that run, they lost twice to Liverpool and had their first defeat in the League away at Napoli. They could lose it, but they wona€™t. Inter will still finish top, but will reflect on another lost chance in Europe. As often seems to happen the Champions of each country are not the Champions of Europe.
The final difference this season is the fact that Fiorentina and Sampdoria are really pushing hard for places in the Champions League at the expense of AC Milan. While Fiorentinaa€™s latest form has been a bit patchy – their goal scorer Mutu has been out injured and they had a tough two legs in the UEFA Cup against Everton, Sampdoria have really hit form winning the last three. they also face Cagliari and Empoli in the next two games – matches they should win. AC Milan could be playing in the UEFA Cup next year. Milan may have to rely on Roma, Napoli and Juve to take points off Sampdoria in the final three matches.
My call for the top four places – Inter, Roma, Juve and Sampdoria.
Now unlike the Italian League the Spanish League is a very different affair from last year when there was a three horse race right down to the last game of the season which Fabio Capello’s Real Madrid eventually won. This year the madridistas are again top of the standings and despite not playing particularly well find themselves 7 points clear with nine games remaining. But the goals have dried up and so have the exciting performances from Robinho, Schneider and Guti. With Robben and Van Nistelroy also out injured it is somewhat lucky for Madrid that their rivals Barcelona are also struggling with their form. Without a win in four league games and dumped out of the King’s Cup by Valencia has meant that Barca have been unable to capitalise on Madrid’s stuttering performances. One team that might however is Villareal who find themselves only two points behind the Catalans having beaten them at the Nou Camp a couple of weeks ago. It is unlikely they will challenge for the league but they may be able to catch the free falling Barcelona.
Behind these three teams there is a real battle going on for the final Champions League spot with Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Espanyol and surprise package Racing Santander all separated by only three points.
So, what are my tips for La Liga? Champions Madrid, Barcelona second followed by Villareal and Sevilla.
