Monthly Archives: December 2010

Gunners look to change mindset

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Earlier this week Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas said that he felt his team get “too scared” when they take on the other top teams in the Premier League. Well once again the Gunners will lock horns with London rivals Chelsea in a massive game at the top of the table (Arsenal 6/4, draw 23/10, Chelsea 9/5).

You can see where Fabregas is coming from just by looking at their results this season.

A 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United which followed a 2-0 beating by Chelsea earlier in the season says it all.

Granted these were away ties, but judging by some of the excellent performances that the Gunners have produced this season, there was great expectation that they could get something out of those games.

It has been Arsenal’s inability to get consistent results against the top team which has meant they have been out of the running for the Premier League title in past seasons.

But this campaign, with so many of the top teams dropping points against side’s that many would expect them to beat, the Gunners are right in the middle of the chase for the championship.

In the past Arsenal relied on a bit of steal in the middle of the park that helped them in the big games.

The likes of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit, who were clearly unafraid to make tough tackles, were the foundations of victories in the past.

Jack Wilshere, for all his outstanding talent on the ball, must try and fill that role for the side despite not having all that much experience in these big games.

However of all the times to face Chelsea this is probably the best.

The Blues have not picked up a victory in their last five Premier League outings and have seemed low on confidence since the departure of Ray Wilkins from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are currently in fourth spot in the top flight after making an outstanding start to the campaign, winning their first six games.

Fans of the Blues will be pleased to hear that Frank Lampard is back in the starting line-up and he will be a major boost for his side (Lampard 15/2 to be first goalscorer).

The England midfielder has been out with a hernia and groin muscle injuries and they will need his influence in and around the box if they are to get anything out of their visit across the capital.

This game will really boil down, as it does in many games, to confidence.

If Arsenal can use the confidence that they show in games against lesser sides they should come out on top in front of their home fans.

However if Chelsea can regain their confidence with the boost of a Lampard return they could make Carlo Ancelotti’s position at Stamford Bridge a lot safer going into the New Year.

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SPL Boxing Day Previews

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Despite the adverse weather conditions which have ravaged the Scottish football fixtures in recent weeks, fans are set for some festive cheer as all six planned Premier League games are still going ahead. Here is the low down on the big games north of the border.

Motherwell v Rangers

SPL leaders Rangers (1/2 Outright) are hoping to extend their two-point advantage over Old Firm rivals Celtic with what will be their first run-out since a 1-1 draw at Inverness a fortnight ago when they travel to managerless Motherwell.

A burst pipe at Fir Park will hopefully be fixed in time for Sunday as Walter Smith’s men go into the game with Edu and Kyle Lafferty set to resume duty, while ‘Well are without the suspended Steve Jennings, who starts a three-match ban following his controversial dismissal against Hearts last week.

Motherwell have not won in three SPL outings, so Rangers will fancy their chances of coming out on top with three points with a 1-0 win 11/2 with Totesport. However, Motherwell are 9/2 to pull off a slight shock and stop the recent rot since Craig Brown’s departure to Aberdeen.

Prediction: Rangers to win 2-1 at 7-1
Value Bet: Rangers To Win From Behind at 15/2

Celtic v St Johnstone

Neil Lennon’s Hoops will be on home soil for a fourth successive game aiming to pick up maximum points for the first time having been held to draws by Dundee United, Inverness and Kilmarnock.

They will be boosted by the return of captain Scott Brown from injury, while Ki Sung Yeung and his fellow South Korean, Cha Du R, will play in their final game before jetting off to the Asian Cup.

St Johnstone, who are in danger of being pulled into a relegation battle will be without the suspended duo of Jody Morris and Jamie Adams, but Murray Davidson should be fiot despite suffering an ankle knock in training.

Celtic cannot afford to drop any more points at Parkhead and I fully expect them to come out on top in this clash with a handsome victory.

Prediction Celtic 3-0 St Johnstone (7/1)
Value bet Celtic to Win 5-0 at 16/1.

Kilmarnock v Hearts

Third-placed Hearts (5/6 SPL W/Out Celtic & Rangers) travel to fifth-placed Kilmarnock (12/1) aiming to keep the pressure on the Old Firm in the race for the title and returning to winning ways after last week’s draw with Inverness.

The Jambos travel to Ayrshire without Lee Wallace, David Obua and Jason Thomson, who are close to comebacks, but Andrew Driver and Suso Santana remain a few weeks away from action.

Killie (19/10 To Win), who beat Hearts at Tynecastle earlier in the season, have no fresh injury worries after their midweek draw at Celtic Park.

Prediction: Draw (23/10)
Value Bet: 2-2 Draw at 12/1.

Dundee United v Hamilton Academicals

Dundee United have not played since the 1-1 draw at Celtic on November 20 an this game is the subject of a pitch inspection at Tannadice.

However, United will hope to finally get a game against a struggling Accies outfit which is level on 10 points with bottom club Aberdeen, to make up ground on the teams above them in the race for a European place.

Hamilton will hope some rustiness in the Dundee United camp could assist their bid for a much-needed three points (9/2 To Win).

Prediction: Home Win (8/13)
Value Bet: Dundee United 2-1 at 7/1

Hibernian v Aberdeen

Craig Brown and Archie Knox will hope to get their tenure at bottom club Aberdeen off to a flying start in a tricky match against fellow strugglers Hibernia at Easter Road.

The weather has restricted them so far, but they cannot afford to lose (Abderdeen 10/3 To Win) given that the Hibees would pull further clear and leave just three teams struck in trouble.

Prediction Draw (5/2)
Value Bet: Hibernian/Draw Half Time/Full Time at 14/1.

Inverness v St Mirren

Inverness Caley Thistle are set to be without Jonny Hayes, who has an ankle problem, as they look to keep the pressure on third-placed Hearts when they entertain struggling St Mirren.

The Paisley side will travel without Gareth Wardlaw, who begins a two-game suspension, for the game as they hope to try and pick up a win (St Mirren 4/1 To Win) to possibly take them six points clear of the bottom side Aberdeen.

Prediction Home Win (7/10).

Value Bet: Inverness Win From Behind at 8/1.

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Boxing Day bets

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It’s the most wonderful day of the sporting year – the Boxing Day Premier League programme which is a nice way to ease ourselves into Bank Holiday Monday’s main fayre of Arsenal vs Chelsea (totesport match prices).

Fulham v West Ham

West entertains east at Craven Cottage at lunchtime with both sides badly struggling for wins this season – four between them none of which have come away from home.

Bet: Fulham win – evens

Blackburn v Stoke

Steve Kean is on board at Rovers until at least the end of the season but captain Chris Samba wants out and the Scot will have to wait a bit longer for his first home win.

Bet: Draw – 11/5

Blackpool v Liverpool

There’s no undersoil heating at Bloomfield Road so keep an eye on the weather forecast as Liverpool look for revenge for their humbling at Anfield.

Bet: Total Goals – 4 Or More – 21/10

Bolton v West Brom

The Baggies’ away record is better than Liverpool’s after 17 games but it will still not be enough  to trouble the Trotters who have lost just once at the Reebok this term.

Bet: Draw/Bolton – 7/2

Everton v Birmingham

One word sums up both sides’ respective seasons – poor – but the Toffees have not lost in December while City are struggling for goals – an average of one per game.

Bet: Everton 1-0 – 11/2

Man Utd v Sunderland

United are sitting pretty at the top of the tree as they welcome former captain Steve Bruce back to Old Trafford for what should be a home win.

Bet: Darren Bent – Enhanced First Goalscorer – Darren Bent 10/1

Newcastle v Man City

Another chance for Mario Balotelli to prove he is the ?second-best player in the world? after Lionel Messi. Hmmm.

Bet: City – 5/4

Wolverhampton v Wigan

The classic relegation six-pointer at Molineux where defeat for either side would arguably represent another nail their respective relegation coffins.

Bet: Draw  – 23/10

Aston Villa v Tottenham 17:30

Sunday’s late game has had more significance over recent seasons than it does this time around, but the home side?s form at Villa Park is hard to ignore.

Bet: Villa – 2/1

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Potential Boxing Day shocks

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The weather may yet wreak havoc with the Boxing Day programme but just in case there is a let up, let us have a look at any potential shocks after the Christmas Turkey has been polished off.

Blackpool v Liverpool

To flag this one up as a potential shock might be doing the Seasiders a disservice as they have equipped themselves magnificently over the first half of the season. Both clubs have taken 22 points so far, although the Reds have played one more match. Under normal circumstances, Liverpool would be expected to win this one nine times out of ten but, despite having Steven Gerrard back in their ranks, they will struggle to contain a Blackpool side that have entertained with their attacking football up and down the country so far this term. Victory for the Tangerines could see them just two points off a European spot while Liverpool’s slide down the table will continue.

Verdict: Blackpool to win (19/5)

Value Bet: Blackpool to win 1-0 (9/1).

Manchester United v Sunderland

United are riding high at the top of the Premier League standings but there is a feeling, despite an improvement over recent games, that they are still not the side of old and do have weaknesses. It is true that they have yet to be beaten this term but that is purely down to a few last-gasp equalisers earlier in the season. Steve Bruce’s men will not fear the Red Devils, having beaten Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and they are themselves just four points off a Champions League place going into the festive period. The unbeaten run is bound to come to an end at some stage and the Black Cats could be the side to do it.

Verdict: Sunderland to win (11/1)

Value bet: 2-3 goals (10/11)

Newcastle United v Manchester City

With the Carlos Tevez situation now resolved, City would seem to be a much calmer place to be but Monday’s defeat to Everton was unexpected and a real set-back to the club’s chances of lifting the Premier League trophy this season. But Newcastle have also steadied their ship with the appointment of a new manager in Alan Pardew and began the new era by beating Liverpool. We expect that success to continue at what is sure to be a freezing St James’ Park on Boxing Day as the Magpies continue to defy the critics who felt they would go straight back down this season.

Verdict: Newcastle win (11/5)

Value bet: Newcastle to win 2-0 (12/1)

Middlesbrough v Nottingham Forest

Boro cannot seem to string two wins together and the introduction of the legendary Tony Mowbray as Gordon Strachan’s successor has had no impact whatsoever on results. But on what will be a cold day in the north east, the Riverside outfit might be able to sneak this one against a Forest side who are pushing for a play-off place. It is true that crowds have dropped off at the Riverside and there is a lack of confidence among the home players but one or two good results could easily turns things around and what better way to start than on Bowing Day.

Verdict: Boro win (6/4)

Value bet: Boro half time / full-time (7/2).

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Boxing Day Championship Picks

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There’s a full fixture list planned in the Championship on Boxing Day and, providing the weather is not the winner again, there are plenty of festive footy delights to keep you entertained in the second tier if that’s your betting bag and you’ve already had enough Turkey stew, leftover cake and old movies for Christmas.

Leeds are the form team in the Championship at the moment and head to Leicester on Boxing Day with another promotion-boosting victory in their sights.

The 2-0 win over table-toppers QPR last weekend underlined United’s title credentials and there is a growing belief in West Yorkshire that a return to the big time may just be around the corner.

They will again be tested at the Walkers Stadium and Sven appears to have the Foxes on the up, too, but such is Leeds’ confidence, an away win is a distinct possibility.

That game kicks off at the traditional 3pm time but there are three 1pm ko’s with the aforementioned Rangers hosting Swansea in another eyecatching clash.

Neil Warnock’s men will be keen to erase the memory of the Leeds loss with a win over the Swans and we can’t see anything other than a handsome win for the home side – go for 3-0 at 16/1.

One of Warnock’s old clubs, Crystal Palace, host Norwich and here the away win at 6/4 is attractive while a double with Portsmouth to win at evens against Millwall would return a decent profit.

In a division that is often difficult to predict, finding more value bets on Boxing Day is not easy. Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray has had a tough time of it since he came in to rescue his old club following a disastrous spell under Gordon Strachan but a win at home over Forest could just be the turning point.

Boro are on offer at 6/4 to win and it’s worth a punt with a big crowd expected at the Riverside to help cheer Mowbray’s men on.

Finally, two more clubs in need of a vital win are Sheffield United (23/20) and Hull City, who go head to head at Bramall Lane. United, who are in search of a permanent successor to Gary Speed after his decision to take up the Wales job the other week, have experienced coach John Carver in charge and may just have the edge over the Tigers.

This is, of course, if we’re not all snowed in and forced to watch the Royle Family instead that you recorded on Christmas Day!

Boxing Day Championship picks:

Leeds to win at Leicester at 11/5

QPR 3-0 versus Swansea at 16/1

Double:
Norwich to win at Crystal Palace
Portsmouth to beat Millwall

Boro to beat Forest (6/4)
Sheffield United to beat Hull (23/20).

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United to stay top of the tree

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Bet on the Champions LeagueManchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will enjoy his Christmas dinner more than most this year, safe in the knowledge that his side have the coveted number one spot heading into the 25th (United 5/4 Premier League outright).

The Scot probably has more to be happy about than any other manager involved in the title race at the halfway point. We examine which of the title contenders are likely to be full of Christmas cheer and which will be saying humbug to the festivities.

Manchester United

We’ll start at the top with a side some might refer to as Christmas fairies. Ferguson’s men made a pretty slow start to the season, dropping points on their travels at every available opportunity it seemed. Late goals at Fulham and Everton cost them all three points, while Sunderland, Bolton and West Brom also managed to take a share of the spoils against them.

While United still aren’t pulling up trees like they have in the past, they have done what all good teams do and that is to win when you aren’t playing well. Take Stoke away and Wolves at home as prime examples of that.

Ferguson’s men might have made a slow start but they are getting up to speed and with Wayne Rooney looking sharp again, you certainly wouldn’t bet against them winning yet another league title.

With games to come against Sunderland (11/1 to beat United), Birmingham, West Brom and Stoke over the festive period, Ferguson should feel like a kid on Christmas morning with the way his team is coming together at just the right time again.

Arsenal

Arsenal’s season so far should remind people of that big box you sometimes found under your tree on Christmas morning. Sometimes it would have exactly what you wanted in it and at other times it would be a total let down. The Gunners have been that box, on occasions out of this world and on others a wet blanket.

They go into Christmas as runners up, a position they have gotten used to in recent years given their trophy drought. However, it could have been so much better for the Gunners had they managed to control their nerves against the big sides and take their chances against others.

Arsenal fans might have believed this would be their year until another disappointing defeat to Manchester United a fortnight ago. And while United looked like potential champions, the Gunners looked way off that mantle.

Arsenal are 9/2 to win the Premier League and those odds could drift out even further if they don’t take positive results from games against Chelsea and Manchester City over Christmas. Expect Wenger to choke on his turkey when he thinks about his missed opportunities.

Manchester City

Where do you start with City’s first half of the season? At times it has been like a cracker with no bang and I think this is the abiding memory City fans will take with them into the Christmas period. Monday’s home defeat to Everton probably ruined many supporters’ Christmas wishes as they failed to secure top spot.

City look destined for another season of under achievement unless Roberto Mancini wishes really hard and gets some new toys in the new year as some of his old ones seem to have broken. For example Mario Balotelli might have plenty of potential but he doesn’t look like he will fire them to Premier League glory.

Ignoring City’s price to win the league, City are 4/11 to finish in the top four, a present many City fans would be happy to receive any time of the year. Judging by City’s season so far, expect Mancini to enjoy a dinner with all the trimmings but no stuffing.

Chelsea

What a Christmas it was shaping up to be for Chelsea supporters at the start of November. A slip up to Liverpool aside, the west London outfit were looking good for the Christmas number one spot. However, like many of us, Chelsea have endured a horrible build-up to Christmas and might be glad to see the back of it.

The best present Carlo Ancelotti will have hoped for is to have the majority of his squad fit and he has got that. The spine of the Blues – John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba – are all back and ready to power the team through the clichéd hectic festive period.

At the moment, Chelsea’s festive comparison can be made with Scrooge. They might be heading into the Christmas period dreading it but they are likely to come out the other side with a great deal of joy. Expect Chelsea to make their turnaround at Arsenal (7/5 to beat the Blues) on December 27.

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January window is make-or-break

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The January transfer window is largely ignored by the Premier League big guns, but it could prove crucial to sides battling it out for honours at both ends of the table. Here is the low down on which managers could be looking to do the most business next month.

Manchester City

Boss Roberto Mancini has never been short of a bob or two in the transfer market from the club’s mega-rich owners as they attempt to bridge the gap between themselves and rivals United, Chelsea and Arsenal (City 9/1 Premier League Outright).

City were boosted by Carlos Tevez’s decision to withdraw his transfer request as he is set to be a key player in his side’s campaign (4/1 Premier League Top Scorer).

However, Mancini is set to offload several players, including strike duo Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz, which means there will be a vacancy in the attack at Eastlands.

Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko could be the man to fill the void as City have been heavily linked with the Bosnian hitman in the past, while the player reportedly wrote to the Citizens expressing his desire to join them.

Liverpool

Roy Hodgson recently stated that he should not be judged on his tenure at Anfield until he has brought his own players into the squad left behind by Rafa Benitez.

The former Fulham chief has been linked to the likes of Ashley Young, Johan Elmander and Gary Cahill, who would all clearly enhance the current set-up. But Hodgson has vowed to be patient in his efforts to recruit new blood and get the Reds up the Premier League table (5/1 Premier League Top 4 Finish).

Aston Villa

Villa boss Gerard Houllier will be looking for the club’s hierarchy to back up their recent claims that they do still harbour ambitions of bringing success to the club when the New Year window swings open.

The Frenchman took over from Martin O’Neill in September so has yet to stamp his own look on the squad at his disposal.

However, his first main task will be to persuade Ashley Young that his future remains at Villa Park, with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham heavily linked.

Steve Sidwell is set to depart and a catalogue of injuries which have blighted his selection options so far this term means a midfielder is almost certainly on the wanted list.

If Houllier can prise him away then Newcastle’s Joey Barton could be a surprise name to add some steel to the Villa ranks and this could get them back up the table in search of a European spot (11/2 Villa Top 6 Finish).

Blackburn Rovers

January will be a huge month for Steve Kean to prove he is the man to take over from Big Sam Allardyce after owners Venky’s handed him the job until the end of the season with the promise of cash to spend.

Many doubters feel Kean could take Rovers down (13/2 Relegation) and Christopher Samba’s transfer request, Phil Jones’ long-term knee injury and Ryan Nelsen’s bemusement at the new owners’ antics suggests a defender could be a priority next month, while there is also talk of Middlesbrough striker Kris Boyd moving to Ewood Park.

West Ham

At the foot of the Premier League, Avram Grant will be looking to wheel and deal in January in a bid to save his job and the Hammers from relegation to the Championship (13/8 To Stay Up).

Aston Villa’s Steve Sidwell is on the verge of joining, while Tottenham’s Jamie O’Hara and Newcastle’s Joey Barton have been linked with the Upton Park outfit following Grant’s admission that he would like three new players on board by February 1.

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Hammers must defy history

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Cold, hard stats show only one team has been bottom of the Premier League at Christmas and managed to stay up, and that was West Brom five years ago (Baggies 8/1 to be relegated).

West Ham must hope that feat is repeated as they will prop up the table when they sit down to their Christmas dinners on Saturday.

A point was a creditable result from their last match at Blackburn, especially considering the Hammers have not broken their duck on their travels this season. But all the same, they will feel it was two points dropped against a team without a manager (West Ham 4/9 to be relegated).

In the end, it took a late equaliser from Junior Stanislas to even give them a point after Ryan Nelsen had bundled home Blackburn’s opening goal.

With all teams facing three games between now and January 2, all a club could really want at this time of year is for two of them to be at home. And that is the Hammers’ situation, as they face vital back-to-back games at Upton Park against fellow strugglers Everton and Wolves.

Avram Grant has denied having been told by the board that he had to win one of his next three games – including the Blackburn match – but if it is true then he must target a maximum return against Everton who are the draw specialists on their travels. The Goodison Park side have drawn five of their nine away games, losing just two.

The Hammers will be glad all three of their games are against teams in the bottom seven – their away match comes next, at Craven Cottage, where Fulham are battling for their lives, outside the drop zone on goal difference.

Going into the Boxing Day fixture, West Ham are three points away from safety, but the bottom half of the table is the tightest it has been for years and from Wigan – third from bottom on 16 points – there are only six points up to eighth-placed Newcastle.

Few teams can hope to survive without picking up at least a couple of away wins, and there are three others besides the Hammers who have drawn a blank on their travels so far. Christmas would be the perfect time for Wolves, Fulham and Birmingham to win away from home for the first time.

After such an impressive season last time, it is surprising to see Birmingham flirting with the relegation zone, but they have only won three times all season. Despite only losing once at St Andrews, the Blues are failing to kill teams off and have drawn four home games.

Birmingham’s festive programme is not what they would have wanted. They go to Everton on Boxing Day, then have to host Manchester United and Arsenal in successive matches (Birmingham 7/2 to be relegated).

Fulham could be forgiven for being distracted in the league last season while they progressed in the Europa League, but they have no such excuses this time. The Cottagers’ problem has been failing to get over the finishing line – they have drawn 10 Premier League games and only won twice (Fulham 7/2 to be relegated).

There is no escaping it, the Boxing Day clash between Wolves and Wigan at Molineux is a relegation six-pointer and neither side wants a draw from the fixture.

Latics have bounced back after the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal to draw 2-2 at home to Stoke and hold Everton to a goalless draw at Goodison Park. Wolves’ good work in the 3-2 home win over Sunderland in late November was undone in their only game since, a 3-0 defeat at Blackburn (Wigan 8/11 to be relegated, Wolves 5/6).

Of all the clubs at the bottom, Aston Villa arguably have most reason to feel confident going towards the turn of the year.

Villa are five places from the bottom and not entirely free of rumours that Gerard Houllier’s stay at the club will be a short one, but owner Randy Lerner is ready to splash the cash in January to try and help the club climb up the table (Aston Villa 10/1 to be relegated).

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Trio target Premier League

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Trying to call who will win promotion from the Championship this season is a bit of a lottery again this season – as it has been in past campaigns.

Teams’ stock will rise and fall throughout the season, however there are a few teams that have shown the potential to reach the top flight.

A club whose stock has dropped in recent weeks, though, is Queens Park Rangers (4/9 to win promotion).

Neil Warnock’s side went the first 19 games of the campaign without defeat and shot to the top of the Championship table.

However, recent defeats at the hands of Watford and Leeds United have got Rangers on a slide and with a difficult game against Swansea on Boxing Day they could go yet another game without a win.

Much of their success this season has been founded around the talented Adel Taarabt who has been one of the players of the Championship so far.

This is both a blessing and a curse for Rangers as teams have learned to neutralise Taarabt which in recent weeks has led to defeats.

QPR are still serious title challengers as having gone so long without defeat who says they cannot do it again and ease themselves into the Premier League?

A team that were early title favourites this season were Cardiff City (3/4 to win promotion).

The Welsh side have only managed one win in their last seven league clashes which is clearly not title-winning form.

However, the Bluebirds have played some of the best football in the league this season and, despite their poor run, still sit in third place in the Championship.

Cardiff boast the top goal scorer in the league in the shape of the now-capped England international Jay Bothroyd.

The former Arsenal Academy player has 13 goals in the league but has been on a dry spell having dealt with injuries.

The Bluebirds team suffered heartbreak in the play-off final last season as they lost to Blackpool, but they have not let that affect them and they are still a favourite to win promotion this term.

A club that know all about play-off heartbreak in recent years is Leeds United (3/1 to win promotion).

The Whites started the season hoping to consolidate a place in the second tier after three years languishing in League One.

Manager Simon Grayson and others at Elland Road would maintain that is still their primary goal, however after a nine-game unbeaten streak and a rise into the automatic promotion positions, their targets may have changed.

Leeds have struggled defensively for much of this season but the introduction of Andy O’Brien from Bolton Wanderers has been one of their best loan deals in years.

The Whites have an abundance of attacking talent with the likes of Luciano Becchio, Max Gradel, Robert Snodgrass, Davide Somma, Ross McCormack and Billy Paynter on board.

Grayson’s side have a big four games coming up as they take on Leicester City, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Cardiff.

The Leeds boss has stated that the club will be taking stock after those matches that come in quick succession over the busy Christmas period.

If the West Yorkshire can maintain their form they might have a chance of being in the running for a return to the top flight.

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Barca, Mes que un club

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Only the most ardent of Espanyol supporters must have dared to dream a comeback was on the cards when Pablo Daniel Osvaldo had the temerity to score against Catalan derby rivals Barcelona on Saturday (8/15 Barcelona – La Liga outright).

The dominance of Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad means such clutching of straws is now commonplace when L’equip blaugrana are in town.

It is also worth pointing out that Barca were 3-0 up by the time the Buenos Aires-born striker found the net – and David Villa scored two more to seal an emphatic 5-1 away victory.

The Camp Nou boss has suggested this was to be the most difficult La Liga match remaining this season – he need not have lost any sleep.

His players proved unequivocally at Estadi Cornella-El Prat that they are the most formidable fusion of guile and graft in world football right now.

The end product is mesmerising but the work done behind the glitz and glare of the cameras must not be underestimated here because the facts laid bare are simply frightening.

This was the fifth time Barcelona have scored five goals. They have now got 51 after just 16 weeks. They have won 10 on the trot and racked up an eighth win out of eight away. They have dropped points just twice – against Mallorca and Hercules – to boast the best record in history at this stage. They will finish 2010 with a record 103 points in the calendar year.

For all their attacking prowess Barcelona have added a resilience and dogged determination at the back. They have conceded just 12 goals in all competitions since the first whistle was blown this season.

Let us not forget Lionel Messi. The Argentina superstar has scored 58 goals in 53 games – the highest total ever.

Jose Mourinho, perhaps in desperation, perhaps in awe, attempted to get Real Madrid supporters onside when he suggested his side’s bad-tempered win over Sevilla “will be very frustrating for those who wanted us to lag four or five points behind Barcelona”.

The street-wise Portuguese coach witnessed first-hand the destruction Barca can cause when his side were crushed 5-0 at the end of November, so shouting from afar is unlikely to ruffle Guardiola (11/8 Real Madrid – La Liga outright).

It seems only tired legs and minds can stop Barca from retaining their Spanish crown – and the rest of us can just enjoy the ride.

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