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Bayern Munich are hunting a treble and their recent form, plus Liverpool’s lapses, sees them claim top spot in Shaka Hislop’s first rankings since his vacation:
Unbeaten in 2020, Bayern have reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga and have one foot in the Champions league quarterfinals. However, can they keep winning without Robert Lewandowski?
Last week: 6-0 vs. Hoffenheim (A; Bundesliga), 1-0 vs. Schalke (A; DFB-Pokal)
Nobody expected them to compete for Serie A glory, let alone be on top as March began. Lazio, though, are unbeaten in league play since September and continue to dream of a first title since 2000.
Last week: 2-0 vs. Bologna (H; Serie A)
That they will be champions of England for the first time since 1990 is not in question, but three defeats in the past four games suggests Liverpool’s momentum has slowed. Can they regain momentum?
Last week: 0-3 vs. Watford (A; Premier League), 0-2 vs. Chelsea (A; FA Cup)
Their hopes of retaining the Premier League might be over, but Man City have already won the Carabao Cup, are still in the FA Cup and — most importantly — are well placed in the Champions League.
Last week: 2-1 vs. Aston Villa (N; Carabao Cup), 1-0 vs. Sheffield Wednesday (A; FA Cup)
Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho are two of the best young players in Europe and have struck up an understanding that has Dortmund in contention for the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Last week: 1-0 vs. Freiburg (H; Bundesliga)
Granted, they trail Dortmund at the halfway through their Champions League last-16 tie, but PSG have an away goal and plenty of hope. They also have Kylian Mbappe, who has 30 goals in all competitions.
Last week: 4-0 vs. Dijon (H; Ligue 1), 5-1 vs. Lyon (A; Coupe de France)
Their late collapse against Man City means Madrid face a tough task to stay in the Champions League, but Zinedine Zidane’s side bounced back to claim a Clasico win that sent them top of La Liga.
Last week: 2-0 vs. Barcelona (H; La Liga)
Concerns in Italy over the spread of coronavirus mean Juventus have not played since Feb. 26, when they lost at Lyon. They are chasing a treble, but must find form quickly when play resumes.
Last week: Did Not Play
With 70 goals in 25 games, Atalanta are comfortably the top scorers in Serie A and they have made an impression in the Champions League, where they stand on the verge of a quarterfinal place.
Last week: 7-2 vs. Lecce (A; Serie A)
Julian Nagelsmann’s side trail Bayern by just three points in the Bundesliga and Leipzig control their Champions League tie against Tottenham, having won 1-0 away from home in the first leg.
Last week: 1-1 vs. Bayer Leverkusen (H; Bundesliga)
Dropping out: Inter, Barcelona, Getafe, Marseille
Agree? Disagree? Let us know, and watch Shaka defend his picks on ESPN FC TV, which airs daily on ESPN+.