Football News

After Real Madrid's stunning comeback against Sevilla last weekend, many pundits - particularly in the Madrid press - were prepared to crown the team as the Champions elect.

That is despite the rather confusing fact that if the title were decided today then Barcelona would actually win it.

To explain. In La Liga, when teams are level on points the sides are separated by the head-to-head results between the two.

However, that does not come in to effect until the teams have played each other for a second time. So, despite Barca having beaten Real 2-0 in the Nou Camp earlier this season, we must wait until after they face off at the Bernabeu early next month to see who will finish top if the teams are tied on points.

If the results between the teams are identical then goal difference and finally goals scored will come into the equation. In short, it's as clear as mud.

But the Spanish press appear to have the situation all sussed out as they reckon Real will be unstoppable for the remainder of the season.

In many ways, it is easy to see their argument. Real are showing the character that has become their trademark in recent years as their massive summer investment starts to pay dividends.

Their home record so far is outstanding. Thirteen La Liga games played at the Bernabeu, with 13 victories, 44 goals scored and ten conceded is a stunning return. The team of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and co are turning their home into a fortress.

If there is a caveat, though, it is that Real and Barca are so far ahead of the rest of the league it almost makes a mockery of the table.

Valencia, in third place, are 15 points adrift, while the chasm between the top two and the also-rans is demonstrated by the fact that Deportivo, in seventh, are marooned equally between the top three and the bottom two.

Super Depor are both 21 points adrift of the top two and are the same margin ahead of the relegation zone.

What that means, in effect, is that Real and Barca are likely to win the vast majority of their remaining games against opposition further down the table.

As such, it comes as a huge surprise when the likes of Almeria manage to take a point from one of the top two, as they did in their 2-2 draw with Barcelona on Saturday night.

But what of Barca, who it must not be forgotten won every single competition they entered last season.

They have not quite hit the heights of the 2008-09 campaign and, in many ways, it would be impossible to match those highs, but they seem to have strengthened their squad, if anything.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is beginning to justify his price tag, and they still have the diminutive diamonds of Xavi, Iniesta and the peerless Lionel Messi, who remains among the 188BET favourites to finish as La Liga's top goalscorer this term.

And it is the fact they have been there, won the trophies and got the T-shirt that makes it hard to bet against Barcelona reclaiming their crown.

Real have a team of superstars who have lifted numerous crowns with their former clubs, but not with this side. Pep Guardiola's Barca, on the other hand, know exactly what they need to do. Expect them to draw at the Bernabeu in the season's decisive game and go on to be crowned La Liga champions.