Tracking Europe’s top soccer leagues: Title races, UCL, relegation

The end of the European soccer season is fast approaching, and the battles for major honors, UEFA Champions League qualification and relegation are truly heating up.

Here’s where things stand across the English Premier League, Spanish LaLiga, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A and French Ligue 1. This story will be updated weekly through the season’s final day, so be sure to check back frequently for the latest information.

Last updated: April 21

Title contenders: Paris Saint-Germain, Lens

There are no prizes for guessing who is top of Ligue 1 this season. Paris Saint-Germain have won the past four French titles and are well-placed to win a fifth straight. However, a rare home defeat to Lyon on Sunday has added intrigue to the French title race.

PSG are one point clear of second-place Lens heading into their clash at home against Nantes. Another defeat would set up a nail-biting end to the season, with the two title chases due to face off in the penultimate game of the season on May 13.

Elsewhere, the top three finishers will be granted a place in next season’s Champions League league phase, while fourth will get admission to the Champions League qualification playoffs. Lens, even if they miss out on the title, look likely to be playing in the league phase, while Marseille, AS Monaco, Lyon and Stade Rennais are jostling to claim the final two spots.

Relegation battle: Le Havre, Nice, Auxerre, Nantes, Metz

14. Le Havre (30, minus-13)

15. Nice (29, minus-22)

16. Auxerre (25, minus-14)

17. Nantes (20, minus-21)

18. Metz (15, minus-39)

Like the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 automatically relegates its bottom two finishers, with the 16th-placed side entering a playoff against the third-placed Ligue 2 side. As it stands, Auxerre would be the team competing in the two-legged playoff.