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The English Premier League might champion the title as the entertainment' league of world football, but little would have detracted the global eyes fixed firmly on an enthralling 2006-07 Spanish La Liga title race ending with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla producing the type of three-horse race that the 3.30 at Kempton would have its punters anxiously shaking their betting slips at. Real Madrid were eventual victors at the expense of a Barcelona side who perhaps believed events should have been so much different, and Sevilla, a rising force in Spanish football providing further angst as to who would take the crown on a final day title decider. While the three clubs will surely be the most likely contenders, the strength of one of the most aesthetically pleasing league competitions ensures that no team will have a free ride to the La Liga top spot.

Barcelona The loss of the title in such dramatic circumstances will be a bitter pill for the Catalan club to swallow. Opportunities to break away from the pack manifested in a susceptibility to their at times over elaborate play, and the inability to clinically kill off games. Despite the speculation, manager Rijkaard remains, as do both Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o whose highly public spat came as a much-unwarranted distraction. Quality has now been added to the ranks in all departments most crucially in the defensive spine with the acquisitions of Gabriel Milito and the impressive Yaya Toure. Thierry Henry finally makes his much protracted move to Barcelona while the prodigy that is Lionel Messi is fast becoming every much the world class player many in the game believe he will become. With so much attacking ability questions will again arise about the downfall of their previous seasons title defence, but is also that superior cutting edge that makes them the favorites to win back their title.

Real Madrid To say the champions have endured somewhat of a club shake-up is an understatement. A newly installed manager, a significant alteration in their style philosophy on the pitch and the player personnel who will convey it ensures that the Madrid side will have everything to do to retain their title. The attacking football so warranted by both board and fans will be at the deliverance of former player Bernd Schuster. He has intimated with his early pre-season form and the likes of Beckham, Emerson and Helguera replaced by the youth and exuberance of Sneijder, Robben and Pepe amongst others. Time shall surely deem

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