Grand Stand finishes around Europe

By now approaching mid-May many European leagues have already crowned their champions. However for some, there is some quite enthralling title races still to reach their conclusion. By enthralling, I mean enthralling, more than two sides going for the title with little between them.

Poland:

Jagiellonia are gunning for a first ever league title
source: Maciej Gilewski 

We'll start with Europe's closest title race in the Ekstraklasa. Six rounds of games still remain with the final round not scheduled until the beginning of June but it does translate into a month of knife edge action. A single point is all that separates the four title contenders with Jagiellonia Białystok lead Lech Poznań on the head-to-head record. Such is the compact nature of the league this season it could well be decided on the head-to-head. 
Two of the contenders, Jagiellonia Białystok and Lechia Gdańsk have never won the title which adds more suspense to this race. Defending champions Legia Warszawa, while in contention, are yet to reach the summit this season. Given that the league has split into two, the next few weeks are littered with head-to-head clashes between the contenders and this is certainly one title race to keep a close eye on. 

Moldova:
Moldova's Divizia Națională reaches it's conclusion in the next fortnight with just three points separating the top four sides. The twist in the race however, is leaders Milsami have already played a game more than their rivals. Milsami face a nervous weekend of inactivity while all three of their title rivals face home fixtures. Any win for any of the contenders will knock Milsami off top spot but should all three of Dacia, Sheriff Tiraspol and Zaria win then the final weekend will see just one point separate all four. To add even more twists, Milsami will face Zaria on the final day with Sheriff and Dacia away at relegation threatened sides. 

Montenegro:
An absolute collapse in form from Budućnost in 2017 has opened the title door to FK Zeta, Mladost and Sutjeska, with all three sides now within three points of the stuttering capital side. Four rounds of games remain and given the slump from Budućnost, the title slipping out of grip cannot be ruled out. The leaders also face all the title hopefuls in their remaining fixtures. To put a perspective on the collapse, Budućnost held a twelve point lead at the winter break. This is a race worth keeping an eye on to see if Budućnost can avoid a sensational bottle-job. 

Albania:
Over the border in Albania, the Superliga has been a constant three horse race all season. With four rounds left to play just a solitary point is all that is between FK Kukësi, Partizani Tirana and Skënderbeu Korçë. Champions for the past six seasons, Skënderbeu Korçë haven't been able to make top spot their own this season with surprise package FK Kukësi remaining in front for much of the season by the narrowest of margins. This midweek sees a round of games pencilled in for decision and the remaining rounds will be crammed in before May 27th's finale which has Skënderbeu Korçë hosting Partizani in a potentially massively defining fixture. 

Romania:
Over in Romania just one round remains in the Liga I title race. Three sides, Viitorul Constanța, FCSB and Dinamo București are seperated by two points. All three face home games this coming weekend with Dinamo needing a very unlikely set of results to claim the title. Viitorul are gunning for a first ever league crown and FCSB are looking to claim a first title since the acronym of FCSB was adopted seemingly permanently earlier this year. On paper Viitorul have the toughest assignment against CFR Cluj with FCSB hosting Universitatea Craiova and Dinamo at home to Astra Giurgiu. 

Other notable mentions
Gibraltar:
Both Lincoln Red Imps and Europa FC have been nip and tuck in the league for the entire season. Both are separated by a point with two games remaining. Lincoln hold the slender advantage but face third placed St Joseph's in a potentially tricky game. Europa FC need a slip up from Lincoln in their final two games while they themselves need to win both of theirs. 

Hungary:
A tight finish is in store with Honvéd and Videoton level on points with three games of the campaign remaining. As luck would have it they both face each other on the final day of the season on May 27th. Honvéd are at home and chasing a first league title since 1992-93 while Videoton are hoping to claim a third ever league title.