11.   At Bari, neither club played particularly well, but the draw provides each with a vital point in the battle to avoid relegation.

12.   At Bari, both clubs appeared content to grab one standings point in their bids to avoid relegation.

13.   At Lecce, both clubs are playing to avoid relegation.

14.   Atkinson returned to Hillsborough for a second spell in November after Wednesday fired David Pleat and he successfully ensured that the club avoided relegation.

15.   Bayern Munich, second in the standings, loaned reserves Markus Muench and Dennis Grassow to FC Cologne, which is fighting to avoid relegation.

16.   Bochum stayed fourth from the bottom and must fight to avoid relegation.

17.   Betis inflicted more misery on Mallorca, which began the season in the Champions League and ends it struggling to avoid relegation.

18.   Boris Becker will play the opening singles against Luis Herrera on Friday when Germany begins battling Mexico to avoid relegation from the Davis Cup World Group.

19.   Brittany team Lorient had a good night in the scrap to avoid relegation to the second division.

20.   But heading into the final round, there is a scramble to qualify for European competition or avoid relegation.