Scotland has been at the forefront of moves to prevent the cup runner-up from competing in Europe when they lose to the league winner (or other European League entrant). We can see their point: last year's entrants Gretna (promoted from III to II) were knocked out by Derry City, this year's team Dunfermline (relegated from I to II) also fell in the qualifiers, and now Queen of the South (certain to stay in II) have beaten Aberdeen to probably take a place in Europe. Rangers are certain of a European League place; they beat Partick on Sunday and will now play St Johnstone (II and not moving) for a spot in the final. Either way, Scotland's cup entrant - for the third season in a row - will come from Division B. The top teams are playing with one hand tied behind their backs, and this is stopping Scottish sides from taking their rightful place at Europe's top table.
43 Hamburg - Duisburg 0:1 42 Queen of the South - Aberdeen 4:3 39 Betis - Levante 0:1 38 Reggina - Sampdoria 1:0 35 Almeria - Villarreal 1:0 34 Luton Town - Brighton & Hove Albion 1:2 34 Karlsruhe - Hansa Rostock 1:2 32 Reading - Fulham 0:2 31 Preston North End - Barnsley 1:2 31 Bolton Wanderers - West Ham United 1:0 30 Werder Bremen - Schalke 04 5:1 20 CSKA Kensington - Wigan 1:1 15 Birmingham City - Everton 1:1
Elsewhere, CSKA's draw is a vital twist in the English race, giving the Buccaneers a surely impregnable margin. Werder returned to winning ways, and consigned Schalke's coach to the history books. The big upset wasn't even the end of Karlsruhe's dream, or Fulham's first away win since the Ryder Cup, but Hamburg losing to relegation-threatened Duisburg.
Primera Division
BAR 1180 74.6 -47 -0.63 SEV 1155 77.1 30 0.39 RMD 1134 78.5 -16 -0.20 VIL 1132 78.2 11 0.14 SAN 1107 75.9 20 0.26 AMD 1089 77.2 10 0.13 GET 1087 70.4 10 0.14 DEP 1085 80.9 62 0.77 MAL 1076 78.0 20 0.26 ALM 1066 83.4 1 0.01 ABL 1059 78.8 49 0.62 HEU 1040 80.8 9 0.11 OSA 1039 80.3 18 0.22 VAL 1039 75.8 -28 -0.37 BET 1018 81.1 5 0.06 VDD 1008 82.2 14 0.17 ESP 995 79.9 -71 -0.89 ZAR 968 80.1 -14 -0.17 RMC 916 84.7 11 0.13 LEV 895 83.7 -27 -0.32 MGA (II) 1014 127.4 0 0.00 SOC (II) 1001 120.4 -8 -0.07 CAD (II) 995 132.8 0 0.00 CVG (II) 941 117.1 7 0.06 TAR (II) 913 122.9 0 0.00 ALA (II) 795 124.1 0 0.00
Though Real Madrid are nine points clear of Barcelona at the top, with six to play, it's Barcelona who head our tables, courtesy of their success in Europe. Seville has also impressed this calendar year. At the foot, Levante look doomed, Real Murcia should join them. Numancia are in pole position to come up from the Segunda, with Malaga (MGA) likely to join them. There's a chance that Tarragon (TAR) may drop to the third level.
Serie A
INT 1227 82.4 - 2 -0.02 ROM 1181 75.7 - 6 -0.08 JVE 1106 84.1 28 0.33 FIO 1074 72.3 -21 -0.29 ACM 1047 75.9 -50 -0.66 SAM 1035 79.3 34 0.43 LAZ 1024 76.8 19 0.25 UDI 1012 77.7 36 0.46 GNA 995 82.0 27 0.33 SIE 969 80.3 21 0.26 NAP 952 80.8 24 0.30 PAL 946 78.8 -14 -0.18 ATL 936 79.2 -29 -0.37 REG 927 79.9 15 0.19 CAG 920 80.5 55 0.68 PAR 906 81.8 - 2 -0.02 TOR 903 79.2 -55 -0.69 EMP 894 81.1 -10 -0.12 CAT 890 77.8 - 4 -0.05 LVO 863 80.2 -50 -0.62 CHI (II) 1022 128.7 45 0.35 ASC (II) 769 122.7 -20 -0.16 MES (II) 765 128.7 -24 -0.19
It's between Inter and Roma for the title; they're 14 and 10 clear of Juventus with five matches to go. Note how the Italian sides are more evenly matched than the Spanish - 9 sides rise in Italy, compared to 14 in Spain. AC's decline continues, and the side is not assured of UEFA Cup football next season. Five points cover the bottom seven sides, and we wouldn't care to pick which three of the six sides disputing the top of Serie B will join us next season.
This mid-week is a domestic week: a full programme in 1. Bundesliga, cup matches in Italy, Spain, and France (including Carquefou hosting Paris St Germain, a match you won't be able to see on UK television) and catch-up games in England and Scotland.
