by Michael Sinnerton 

With all four Premier League teams either top of their Champions League groups or having taken maximum points it's time for that age old argument about the best league in the world.

The Premier League is the most watched league in the world, has the European Champions, the European runners-up and the top four have all made the Champions League final in the last 3 years.

The League still has a veil of unpredictability with Arsenal already losing to Fulham and Hull, Liverpool being held by Stoke and Manchester United by Newcastle. Admittedly the top four will probably end up the same as last year (Aston Villa may challenge Arsenal) but then Spain's top four is likely to contain at least 3 of Barcelona, Sevilla, Atletico and Valencia whilst Italy's will surely contain at least 3 from Inter, Juventus, Fiorentina and Roma.

However the league's second tier sides are where the argument has weakness. With Everton going out of the UEFA cup to Liege, Tottenham bottom of the league and struggling past Wisla. (The two teams to most closely challenge the top 4 in recent years) whilst Valenica and Espanyol (Getafe amongst others) regularly do well in Europe as do AC Milan, Sampdoria and sometimes Lazio.

Having said that Valencia struggled last year, and it may be that Aston Villa and Manchester City may be the Premier League's next strongest representatives rather than an Everton team who may have peaked (at least temporarily). Both Vila and City have the finanical capacity to go one step further something which Spanish and Italian teams probably lack.

The League's wages are higher, the clubs spend more money on transfers and this is bound to attract the best players and managers. If England had Spain's climate there would be very little reason for foreign players not to move.

Despite this there were less goals/game in the Premiership last year than in most of the other European leagues, with the Bundesliga the best value for goals. La Liga still has an element of the unknown and is the breeding ground for young South American talent. The likes of Messi, Aguero, Fernandez and Dani Alves (to name but a few) were always much more likely to join LA Liga, partially due to a technical capacity for football that can arguably not been found in the Premierships  "kick-and-rush" culture.

I am a huge La Liga fan but I don't think you can beat the Premiership for pure excitement and adrenalin.

But my favourite League in the world, despite it's dimunitive size and lack of status has to be the Isles of Scilly (where else) Football League which is a scilly little league with only two teams.

http://www.worldssmallestleague.co.uk/html/league_table.html

The Garrison Gunners and the Woolpack Wanderers make up the League (a massive 12 game fixture list) as well as having four cup competitions. The league whilst perhaps more predictable than the Premiership (the same two teams make the finals every year) has a charm about it that I can't help but love. Obviously I've never seen a game but the Gunners are running away with the league this year largely thanks to the hugely unheralded Adam May, a part-time retailer who you shouldn't expect to be gracing our shores any time soon despite his impressive goal record.

The Garrison Gunners against Manchester United for a best league in the world title? Don't count on it.

by Michael 'Sinno' Sinnerton 

With the Primera Liga season five games in Saturday brings the first clash of the potential title contenders. Barca and Atletico have 10 and 9 points respectively following mixed starts to the campaign.

Current Form 

Barca have lost away at Numancia and been held at home by Racing Santander and despite racking up over 50 shots in the two games their one goal came from the penalty spot. Since then Barcelona have four straight wins against Gijon, Sporting Lisbon, Betis and Espanyol.

Atletico have been in good form when they put their first team out, but as anticipated perhaps don't have the strength in depth to prosper in both La Liga and the Champions League. As if to justify this, both their La Liga defeats have come in the games directly preceeding Champions League games when Madrid have been missing key players. With a 2-1 way defeat at Valldolid and a 1-0 reverse at home to Sevilla. Wins have come against Getafe, Recre, PSV, Malaga.

League Aspirations

Atletico are now in the middle of a ridiculous fixture schedule that sees every team in La Liga play Sevilla, Baca, Real and Villareal in consecutive games something which I think could derail their title chances before the season's in full swing. Particularly with their attentions seemingly focused on the Champions League - look out for home win against Marseille tonight.

Barcelona have the time and quality to recover but a worrying defensive frailty in which they seem to concede from at least every other shot and a lack of ruthlessness upfront are the familiar problems that confront Barcelona supporters year in/year out. As always, this could be their year.

Key Clashes

Puyol v Aguero

It is often said of the Puyol that what he makes for in defensive ability he makes up for with heart, passion and determination (see Jamie Carragher), but all his determination is unlikely to keep Aguero quiet if the little Argentine is in the mood. Aguero, almost certain to be one of the world's leading players in the next five years was, for my money, the standout player in La Liga last year and holds the key to his sides aspirations of silverware.

Messi v A.Lopez

The minute leading the small in this case. As 5ft 6in Messi takes on 5ft 8in Lopez, don't expect long crosses to the back post. Instead expect Lopez to get some freedom going foreward and the chance to deliver with his left but spend most of the game in a desperate struggle to nulify the threat of the diminutive genius. He will need help from the excellent Ujfalusi but I fully expect Messi to score in this game.

Predictions

With Barcelona having conceded in every league game so far it is hard to see a clean sheet here, likewise I can't see Atletico keeping Barca's out. Look for more than 2.5 goals in the game and a Barcelona win (8/15 on ladbrokes, 8/13 PP). Last year's games finished 4-2 Atletico (at the Calderon) and 3-0 Barca (at Camp Nou).

Outside Tips: Sinama-Pongolle 1st scorer; Repeat of last year's 3-0 (12-1)