The best league in the world

Something that is often a point of argument amongst many football fans is the question; who has the best league in the world?

Now clearly I'm going to be slightly biased, I am English after all, but how should we really measure this idea in the first place? Well, some people say that it should be down to competitiveness of the league title, but what leagues boast the most diverse range of title winners in what most would call the top five leagues in Europe...

The Bundesliga are joint top with Ligue 1 with 5 different winners in the last 10 years, next is our Premier league with 4, and at the bottom is Serie A and La Liga both with 3.

So maybe not what people would expect or want, and many would say that we need to judge it on the quality of players not just the fluctuation of the winners. This is where it becomes a bit more difficult, of course the two best players in the world (do I even have to name them) come from La Liga, and arguably Falcao is up there with them but then again the quality is not really spread across the league and it is at this point where, in my opinion, the premier league comes into its own.

Across all the teams in the league there are always outstanding players, think about QPR, bottom of the league yet have Julio Cesar and Loic Remy both high profile players with much pedigree. Now try naming top players from teams near the bottom of the other leagues, nope me neither and this spread of brilliance is what I believe puts our league a notch above the rest, we get the whole package every week - quality, competition, rivalry, and overall watchability.

This is why, in my eyes, the premiership truly is the best league in the world - broadcasting in over 200 countries to over 600 million  people worldwide - Not bad at all.

Champions League

Well it's back. The biggest club competition on in the world and with it come some of the most exciting match ups for some time, so lets take a look at the biggest matches in the knock out stages:

Celtic - Juventus

Celtic clearly the underdogs, I'll certainly be cheering them on but it's going to be difficult against this supreme Juventus side who are still reigning Italy with comfort and style. If Celtic want to get through they will have to play out of their skins in both legs, and it's vital that they nick a win at home.

My prediction: Celtic 1 - 0 Juventus

Real Madrid - Manchester United

Alex Ferguson meets 'the special one' once again but this time at Madrid. Only one outcome in his particular leg for me, even if Mourinho is having some troubled times, Ronaldo is in imperious form and I fully expect him to bag at least one against his former club. The tie will hinge on the game at Old Trafford as to whether United can qualify but in my eyes Madrid will be too strong.

My prediction: Real Madrid 3 - 1 Manchester United

Arsenal - Bayern Munich 

After losing out last year Munich are back for some redemption and in my opinion Arsenal do not have the squad to get them through, this said, it can depend what mood the Londoners turn up in, if they have a good day this tie may be closer than we think.

My prediction: Arsenal 1 - 1 Bayern Munich

Barcelona - AC Milan

Milan aren't having the best time of it lately but with Balotelli on the pitch there's always a chance for fireworks. However, Barcelona with the league seemingly in their grasp, it looks as though this leg can only go one way, one thing you can bet on though is a Messi goal as the best player in the world i looking more and more like the best ever.

My prediction: Barcelona 4 - 2 AC Milan