With just three weeks left of the European domestic season left, there are some crucial fixtures in all four major leagues. The two Champions League finalists Bayern Munich and Inter Milan face tough battles to take their domestic titles, while Marseille and Barcelona struggle to face off a chasing pack. Here is the best of the action…

France

Ligue 1 Orange
Saturday May 8
Lille v Marseille

While this Friday’s match between leaders Marseille and Auxerre is being touted as the title decider, it may not be the game that really confirms Marseille as the champions.

That may come a week later when Marseille travel to third-placed Lille on the penultimate weekend of the season.

There are currently five points ahead with four games to play – two of which are very winnable games at home. They have a vastly superior goal difference to second-placed Auxerre, so a draw or better against Auxerre will all but guarantee the title.

Auxerre have already beaten Marseille at home, so they will feel more comfortable about taking points off Lille – and if they do they finally end a wait of almost 20 years to take the title.

An age for a team as big as Marseille.

Italy

Serie A
Sunday May 2
Lazio v Inter

They are in the final of the Champions League but, with Roma just two points behind them, Inter face a huge game on Sunday.

It is very rare that Roma will be rooting for their hated capital rivals, but the fixture list dictates that a Lazio win represents Roma’s only realistic chance of nicking the title off an Inter side that has been in the box seat the entire season.

Win and Jose Mourinho’s charges can relax into the title and prepare properly for the biggest game the club has had in three decades in Madrid at the end of May.

Lose and it could be a tough May, which will play into the hands of their Champions League final opponents, Bayern Munich.

Germany

Bundesliga
Saturday May 1
Schalke 04 v Werder Bremen

With just two rounds to go in the Bundesliga, the equation for Bayern Munich – level on points but with a far superior goal difference to Schalke – is simple: win their game against Bochum and if Schalke fail to beat third placed Werder they pretty much take the title.

With a final game against Hertha Berlin, who should be relagated by the end of this weekend, they can enjoy a celebration in the capital before their epic trip to Madrid.

Spain

La Liga
Saturday May 1
Villareal v Barcelona

A miserable week could turn into a nightmare for Barcelona as they look to defend just a single point gap between themselves and bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Their victory just three weeks ago against Real Madrid looked to have sealed the title, but a draw at Espanyol just a week later let Ronaldo and co back into the title race.

Any slip up away to Villareal, who are chasing a Champions League place themselves, will put them in real jeopardy of a failed season.