Barcelona

Last year saw Barcelona become the first Spanish team to achieve the treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. Few would have predicted the success they achieved under little known manager Josep Guardiola. However, his team were unstoppable and played attractive and near complete football throughout the various campaigns they were involved in. They demolished Manchester United in the Champions League final, making them look average, which is no easy feat.

Their team is the backbone of the Spanish national side with the like of Valdes, Pique, Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta normally in the squad. Coupled with the international talents of Alves, Ibrahimovic, Messi and Thierry Henry it can be argued they have the strongest team in Europe, despite the finacial efforts of Real Madrid to catch them up.

This season they have continued to play well and when it seemed like they were wobbling they came out with two very important victories, firstly laying bare Inter Milan's weak European ambitions with a 2-0 thumping at he Nou Camp, followed by a 1-0 win in El Classico over Real Madrid and returning themselves back to the top of La Liga. they are certainly the team to avoid in Europe and Real Madrid must wonder what they have to do to win the league this year.