6 Title races to watch in 2024

By Neel Shelat

🇧🇷 Série A: Botafogo Seeking Redemption

The Brasileirão almost always delivers incredible drama right till the end of the season at all ends of the table, and this year is no exception.

At the bottom, giants such as Corinthians and Fluminense are involved in what promises to be an almighty relegation scrap. At the other end, Botafogo find themselves top of the pile again, with less than ten games to go.

Fogo were in a significantly better position at this time last term as they were eight points clear at the top, but their title challenge was unravelling. Head coach Luís Castro’s departure for Al Nassr midway through the season proved to be the turning point, as the club went through three different managers and won just two of their last 17 matches. Ultimately, they not only lost the title to Palmeiras but also fell out of the top four and missed out on direct qualification for the Copa Libertadores.

The record champions are once again leading the chasing pack, but Botafogo are in much better form with an ongoing 11-match unbeaten streak. They are also in the Libertadores quarterfinals having defeated Palmeiras in the quarters, so they will have to carefully balance their commitments on both fronts if they are to lift their first major trophy in over 50 years.

🇨🇱 Primera División: Colo-Colo’s Comeback

Record Chilean champions Colo-Colo endured a rocky start to the season after hiring former Boca Juniors head coach Jorge Almirón. A quarter of the way into the season, they had accumulated just 10 points from eight matches – half the tally of league-leaders Universidad de Chile. Since the halfway point of the season, though, they have been on an incredible run which has earned them 31 out of 33 possible points.

Thanks to that streak, the title is now in Colo-Colo’s hands. All they have to do is win their four remaining matches, which include a couple of fairly tough tests against Palestino and Deportes Iquique.

🇫🇮 Veikkausliiga: HJK’s Dominance Set To End

Record Finnish champions HJK have won each of the last four Veikkausliiga titles and six of the last seven, but they will not be defending their title this year having lost their last three matches and failed to win any in the Championship group. However, they will still play a key role in determining where the title ends up.

Leaders KuPS will host them on the final matchday, needing a win to be sure of completing their first-ever league-cup double. Should they falter, Ilves – they of the brilliant Lynx cat badge – will have the chance to win their first league title in four decades.

🇮🇪 Premier Division: Five-Way Fight To The Finish

The League of Ireland Premier Division has been rather dominated by Shamrock Rovers in recent years, so 2024 has been a welcome change. The record champions could well win a fifth-consecutive title, but the battle is sure to go right down to the wire as just six points separate the top six with three rounds of fixtures left.

Shelbourne, the side led by Damien Duff, who were in the second tier just three years ago, are on a shocking run of form but somehow still lead the way. They have won just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions, so they will need to get their act together if they are to hold on. Derry City had the chance to overhaul them by playing their two games in hand over recent days, but they could only draw both of those. Derry will still get their chance, though, with the two set to meet on the final day in what could prove to be a showdown for the title.

Should the top three falter, Galway United might just be able to win their first top-flight league title with a burst to the finish. Their last three fixtures are all winnable, so a 59-point tally could give them an outside chance. They will first have to overcome fourth placed St. Patrick’s Athletic, who have an equal chance of winning their first league title in a decade.

🇯🇵 J1 League: Debutants Machida Zelvia Set To Fall Short

Over in Japan, newly-promoted side Machida Zelvia have enjoyed an incredible top-flight debut season. They mounted a shock title charge for about three-quarters of the season and spent a great deal of time at the top of the standings but look set to ultimately fall short.

With five matches left, they are now six points behind the leaders. The two main contenders now are defending champions Vissel Kobe and Sanfrecce Hirsohima, who are separated by just a point.

They will both have to balance their title charges with continental commitments, so we could be in for more twists and turns yet.

🇰🇿 Premier League: Half The League In The Title Race!

Perhaps the most exciting and unpredictable title race of the year is unfolding in Kazakhstan, where over half the league remains in mathematical contention!

Before the end of the season, these sides will face off as many as nine times, so the path to the top remains wide open for everyone. Defending champions Ordabasy are currently on course to win their second-ever league title, but they will have to fend off direct challenges from three rivals in their remaining four fixtures.

Aktobe, the second-most successful club in Premier League history are currently second as they seek their first league title in over a decade. FC Yelimay, who spent nearly a decade in the second division before winning promotion last year, are surprisingly level on points with them.

They could both be leapfrogged by Kairat Almaty, but the team to watch have to be FC Astana. The record champions are currently fifth but could jump up to second by winning their games in hand, though they have four fixtures against title contenders. Tobol Kostanay and Atyrau are the outsiders at the moment, but if there is one thing this season has taught us, it’s that anything is possible.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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