How would La Liga & Serie A look if they were settled by points-per-game?
Published:
We’ve run the numbers on Spain and Italy’s top flights
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to footballreturning in every country, as we’ve seen with some of the initial plans to resumethe season.
It looks like the Bundesliga will restart in the second halfof May, but Ligue 1 has called the season already using points-per-game (PPG).That hasn’t gone down well everywhere though, with now-relegated Amienslaunching a petition against the decision.
With no confirmed date yet of when La Liga or Serie A willbe coming back, we’ve taken a look at how the table could look if both leagueswere settled by PPG.
La Liga
Every team in Spain’s top flight has played 27 games, whichwould make settling things on points-per-game relatively straightforward, withone notable exception.
Title race:
Barcelona have a two-point lead over Real Madrid at the topof the table. The Catalan club have 2.15 PPG, compared to their rival’s 2.07,which would see them win a third consecutive title.
European qualification:
Sevilla in third would qualify for the Champions League,though deciding who takes the fourth spot could be very contentious.
Real Sociedad are fourth, though they’re level on 46 pointswith fifth-placed Getafe. They also both have a goal difference of +12.Sociedad are currently higher by virtue of having scored more goals.
However, when two teams are level on points at the end ofthe season, La Liga uses their head-to-head record to determine who finisheshigher. To complicate things further, the two clubs have only met once so farthis season – Getafe’s 2-1 away win in October. It’s hard to see a fair way tocall who gets the final Champions League place.
The first of two Europa League spots available through theleague would go to one of Sociedad and Getafe. Atletico Madrid would take theother, having had a disappointing domestic campaign so far.
Relegation:
Real Mallorca, Leganes and Espanyol currently occupy thebottom three spots. The trio would all be relegated if PPG were used to settlethe season.
Serie A
Most Serie A teams have played 26 league fixtures so far,though eight have played 25, which means there could be some movement underPPG. And just like in Spain, there’s likely to be some controversy too.
Title race:
There wouldn’t be any changes at the top of the tablethough. Lazio have pushed Juventus very hard, but they have 2.38 PPG. The OldLady are just ahead with 2.42 PPG, which would be enough to seal a record ninthconsecutive title.
European qualification:
Inter Milan are out of the title picture after a blip, butthey’d still seal a return to the Champions League. Atalanta would also qualifyfor the second year running.
The Europa League places are currently occupied by Roma,Napoli and AC Milan. Roma and Napoli would be assured of qualification, butMilan would be replaced by Hellas Verona under PPG. Stefano Pioli’s side have1.38 PPG, compared to Verona’s 1.40.
Relegation:
The bottom two spots are occupied by SPAL and Bresciarespectively, who would both go down under PPG. But here’s where things getcomplicated: Genoa in 17th and Lecce in 18th are both level on 25 points and0.96 PPG.
Like Spain, Italy uses head-to-head records to determinefinal standings when points are level. The only game between these sides thisterm finished in a 2-2 draw. Would Genoa’s superior goal difference keep themup?
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
