To define tightness, I decided to go with how many teams are in the running and what is the point gap between those teams. This is what I came up with.
Albanian Superliga:
With four games to play Albania still have four sides vying for the title. Defending champions Skenderbeu Korce lead by three points from KF Tirana. KF Tirana themselves are three points ahead of both Partizani Tirana and Kukesi. Six points separate all four sides and with both Partizani and Kukesi six points off Skenderbeu games are running out. Over the course of the season each of the teams have led the table with Skenderbeu only reaching the summit in the past few weeks. Expect a few more twists in this one.
This coming weekend sees Partizani and KF Tirana face each other, defeat for Partizani would rule them out of the running realistically. However a victory coupled with dropped points from Skenderbeu, who are home to relegation threatened Teuta Durres would see them very much in the hunt.
The league ends on May 15th and with four sides going for the title it might be worth keeping on eye on this.
- Skenderbeu Korce (69 points)
- KF Tirana (66 points)
- Partizani Tirana (63 points)
- Kukesi (63 points)
Belgian Pro League:
Riddled with play-offs for just about everything, Belgium does have quiet a battle for the title going on. The top 6 are separated by just 8 points with six games to play. However it seems like Kortijk and Standard Liége are a bit too far behind to close the gap with so few games remaining. However in the championship pool, you have head-to-head games in every round so they could be just about in the race.
For the moment Club Brugge lead the way with Gent two points behind, then come Anderlecht a point further back and Sporting Charleoi three behind rivals Anderlecht.
This week there is a mid-week round of games starting tomorrow and by next Sunday the title picture could be entirely different.
- Club Brugge (38 points)
- Gent (36 points)
- Anderlecht (35 points)
- Sporting Charleoi (32 points)
- Standard Liége (30 points)
- Kortrijk (30 points)
Bosnia-Herzegovina Premier League:
Going by the criteria set out, Bosnia-Herzegovina have the tightest title race in Europe. With six games to play the top four are separated by a single point. The Sarajevo big two of FK and Zeljeznicar are right in the mix backed up by Siroki Brijeg and Zrinjski Mostar.
Defending champions Zrinjski are 2nd only on goal difference which is the first tie-breaker. A quick look at the table shows not much difference in the goal differences of each of the teams. With it being so tight literally every game matters. Sarajevo rivals FK and Zeljeznicar still have to play one more derby game while fascinatingly Siroki Brijeg and Zrinjski face each other on the final day. Certainly gearing up for a grandstand finish.
- FK Sarajevo (50 points) +29
- Zrinjski Mostar (50 points) +22
- Siroki Brijeg (49 points) +23
- Zeljeznicar (49 points) +21
Cypriot A Divison
Cyprus similar to Belgium are operating a champions pool with the Top 6. Ermis in 6th are out of the race but the remaining five are only separated by seven points. This past weekend none of the top five registered victories which keeps things finally poised.
Defending champions APOEL Nicosia lead things by two points from Apollon Limassol. Two points separate the next three sides (Omonia, AEK Larnaca and Anorthosis).
The big Nicosia derby is next week between APOEL and Omonia so it offers and opportunity for Apollon, Anorthosis and AEK to close the gap on the leaders.
- APOEL Nicosia (55 points)
- Apollon Limassol (53 points)
- Omonia Nicosia (50 points)
- AEK Larnaca (49 points)
- Anorthosis (48 points)
Georgian Umaglesi Liga
Five games remain in Georgia with four points between the top 3. Defending champions Dinamo Tbilisi are in 3rd lagging behind leaders Dila Gori and 2nd placed Dinamo Batumi. Both Dinamo Tbilisi and Dinamo Batumi face each other in a fortnight which will make or break either side's title hopes.
- Dila Gori (51 points)
- Dinamo Batumi (49 points)
- Dinamo Tbilisi (48 points)
Luxembourg National Division
Just four remain and three sides still harbor hopes of winning the title. Last year's champions F91 Dudelange are hanging in there four points behind Fola Esch. Differdange 03 are five points Fola Esch and their hopes took a blow last weekend with defeat at bottom side Wiltz.
- Fola Esch (52 points)
- F91 Dudelange (48 points)
- Differdange 03 (47 points)
Moldovan National Division
Four games remain and three sides remain in the race for glory. Sheriff Tiraspol have dominated this league with 13 titles since 2000. However they are three points behind Dacia while in 3rd place only on goal difference Milsami Orhei are keeping pace. The final day does see Dacia going to Milsami Orhei which could be a deciding game in the title race if both sides can maintain form until then. Sheriff do have games with rivals Tiraspol and former Moldovan giants Zimbru in the coming weeks.
- Dacia (46 points)
- Sheriff Tiraspol (43 points)
- Milsami Orhei (43 points)
Turkish Super Lig
One of the more well known leagues in Europe, Turkey is bracing itself for a grandstand finish between the three biggest sides in the country. Three points separate the top 3 currently with Besiktas due to play Karabukspor tonight so that gap might decrease to a single point between the top 3. A potentially massive clash between Galatasaray and Besiktas on May 24th could decide the destination of the title. Fenerbahce are also in the hunt so expect some twists in this race.
- Galatasaray (61 points)
- Fenerbahce (60 points)
- Besiktas (58 points)*
*Played a game less.
Ukrainian Premier League
The recent dominance of Shakhtar Donetsk is very much under threat this season. Dynamo Kyiv have opened a five point gap over Shakhtar. Last weekend's draw between the top two suited Kyiv a lot more but also suited the 3rd challenger, Dnipro. Dnipro moved to within a point of Shakhtar after a narrow victory over bottom club Illichivets.
Dnipro still have to play Dynamo Kyiv and being six points off victory in that game would make the race that bit more exciting provided they can maintain their good form of late. However they are battling on the Europa league front as well with a semi-final with Napoli to come.
- Dynamo Kyiv (53 points)
- Shakhtar Donetsk (48 points)
- Dnipro (47 points)
So there you have it. By the looks of things its Bosnia-Herzegovina that have the tightest title race with the most teams involved. All off the above races will provide twists and turns as the season reaches its climax throughout Europe.
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