Then there is Barca otherwise known as Barcelona. Lionel Messi is considered the greatest to ever play the game over all others and that is according to Kobe Bryant the Los Angeles Lakers star and former resident of Spain and Italy in his youth. Messi overshadows another soccer great on his own team, David Villa.

In Spanish La Liga there is the upper echelon in Real Madrid and Barcelona and then the other teams trying to achieve greatness.

The Valencia Los Che and the Málaga Boquerones are two teams banging on Real Madrid’s and Barca’s door. The two developing teams have a good chance to break through this season but it is a daunting task to better the two top teams in this league. It is anyone’s guess if they will do it or not so it might be a good time to check out some soccer betting odds and get in on the action.

The Sevilla Sevillistas are a good team to watch in this league as well. The team is a group of workmanlike players who can put the hammer down when they need to push the envelope.

Who else has a chance to unseat the big two teams in the league? The Athletic Bilbao Los Leones is another team with potential. It doesn’t take much to step up and play with the big boys but it does take more chutzpah to step and say, ” We are going to aim our sights for the league title.”

Get Premier League Betting US Odds closer to game time Saturday.

The LA Galaxy will step on the pitch on Saturday evening with a tremendous amount of confidence. First of all, Los Angeles has held the number one spot on the MLS league standings for most of the season, and the Galaxy comes into this match with 20 points earned in 12 games.

Despite having the best record in the league, the Galaxy has struggled in early May. A loss followed by two consecutive draws are not satisfactory results for the league’s highest ranked team.

In the most recent game against Sporting Kansas City, the Los Angeles squad put on its best performance of the season. Immediately after halftime, Landon Donovan scored two goals within several minutes. This marked Donovan’s 110th career MLS goal, the fourth best scoring performance in the league’s history. After struggling all season long, Juan Pablo Angel finally found his rhythm by scoring his second goal of the season. David Beckham put the icing on the cake with a late free kick (his first goal of the season) that lead to a final score of 4-1.

Coming in with a 3-3-3 record, Chivas has got to be intimidated by the Galaxy’s recent momentum. Nevertheless, Chivas won three of its last four games, something coach Fraser can use to motivate his team. Forwards Alejandro Moreno and Justin Braun each have three goals this season, a solid offensive performance that can threaten the Galaxy.

On Saturday, May 11, the Timbers and Sounders will meet for the first this season. The clubs faced each other in a friendly pre-season game in early March. Kenny Cooper goal in stoppage as well as Jorge Perlaza’s 21st minute goal helped the Timbers earn a 2-0 victory. The circumstances of that early spring match were different though. In Tukwila, Washington, the game was played in front of a crowd of 3,000. The Sounders can count on a much stronger home fan support as Saturday’s game will be held at Qwest Field in Seattle.

The Timbers and Sounders are ranked in the middle of the Western Conference table with 13 points each, looking at the current standings. While Seattle comply it in 10 games, it took Portland eight games to earn the points though. Even though the Timbers have found the back of the goal in fewer attempts, each team has scored 12 goals so far (ranked top in the league). Consisting of Cooper, Perlaza, Jewsbury, and Wallace, overall, Portland has a more diverse offensive lineup, particularly a strong scoring force.

The Timbers have performed slightly better in May, comparing recent momentum. Portland lost to the Earthquakes 1-0, in the month’s first match although then recuperated three days later with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union.

May has been a bitter road trip for the Sounders which included a 2-1 loss to D.C. United followed by a 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew. in front of a crowd of more than 36,000, on Saturday, the Sounders will be thrilled to be back home and hope to repeat a similar late April performance of a 3-0 victory against Toronto F.C. Closer to game time, get MLS Soccer Odds for this matchup.

The Galaxy are a slight +150 favorite, FC Dallas is at +160 and a Draw is +225 in soccer betting lines.

The Los Angeles has great momentum right now, as they finished April with two solid victories. Plagued by a knee injury all season long, captain Landon Donovan finally made his 2011 debut. Donovan’s first appearance was impressive, as he scored two goals against the Portland Timbers, while Chad Barrett scored the other goal. The 3-0 victory against Portland was the best performance for the Galaxy in 2011.

David Beckham, who was recently suspended for a match, is back on the roster for LA. With that being said, the return of Landon Donovan will lead the Galaxy into a positive direction and help Los Angeles stay on top of the MLS league table for the second straight year.

F.C. Dallas has 7 points in six games so far, as inconsistency has been the issue for coach Hyndman’s squad. Dallas lost the first game of April, won the second, lost the third, and won the fourth. This type of roller coaster performance will not go far, especially to the MLS Cup route. On Sunday May 1st, the only factor Dallas F.C. can count on is the home crowd. However, the LA Galaxy will confidently step on the field at Pizza Hut Park knowing that a loss hasn’t been part of the team’s vocabulary since late March.

In a turbulent night-time celebration, thousands of Real Madrid fans packed central Madrid, chanting, waving flags and dancing to thumping music after their first Spanish Cup win since 1993. The city exploded as fans honked car and truck horns and descended into the streets waving or wrapped in the club and Spanish flags, as the final whistle blew on Real Madrid’s dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Barcelona.

To overwhelm Pep Guardiola’s side 1-0, Cristiano Ronaldo scored an extra-time header and the Spanish ‘keeper was quick to commend the impact that the Portuguese coach has made at the Bernabeu. Not much time was squandered by the shot-stopper before turning his attentions to their Champions League semi-final ties against Barcelona. In 18 days, this will be the third and fourth clashes.

For what may be the first time this season, Barcelona is witnessing Real Madrid’s supremacy as they have finally learned the trick to put down the lid down on Barcelona’s useful control of the ball.  Real Madrid was able to seize passes to the likes of Lionel Messi and Xavi and Barca’s other star players. With a constant, pressing attack, Real Madrid did a good job of menacing Barcelona.

On 27 April 2011, Real Madrid will be challenging against Barcelona once again in first leg semifinals of the 2011 UEFA Champions league. Internet Sportsbook oddmakers believe that Barcelona will have an edge. The best odds for Real Madrid are 9/5 and for Barcelona 12/7.

Get MLS Soccer Odds for this matchup closer to game time.

Each team has different expectations for the 2011 season. The Red Bulls are looking forward to having a similar record to the previous season, in which they finished number one in the Eastern Conference. Additionally, coach Hans Backe wants his New York team to surpass last season’s quarterfinals appearance in the MLS Cup.

New York faces a challenge this season because they’ve lost one of their star players Juan Pablo Angel, who joined the LA Galaxy for 2011. On the bright side, the Red Bulls still have international superstars Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez. Also, the team’s 2010 MVP Joel Lindpere is looking to step up this year once again.

New York Red Bulls got off to a respectable start in 2011. They won the season opener 1-0 against Seattle Sounders, and then finished the following games with draws against Columbus Crew and Houston Dynamo.

Philadelphia Union is a young franchise that hopes to make the playoffs in its second season in the MLS. Philadelphia started the season slightly better than New York. The Union won the first two games of the season, but recently lost to Los Angeles Galaxy. The only sure factor about Saturday’s evening is that Philadelphia can feed off its home crowd at the PPL Park.

According to various sports betting sites, MLS Betting Odds have the Galaxy as a -160 favorite while the Union are a +460 underdog.

The fledgling Philadelphia Union has got off to a great start in its second season in the MLS. The goal for the team is clear, which is to improve from last year’s record and qualify for the MLS Cup as well as other competitions such as U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF. By late march, Philadelphia Union sat at the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference.

In the season opening game, the Philadelphia Union defeated former MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo 1-0. The Union surprised nearly 20,000 Houston fans at the Robertson Stadium as Vice captain Danny Cardiff scored an early goal in the fifth minute. Days later, Philadelphia pleased its home crowd by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 thanks to the effort of striker Carlos Ruiz.

The Los Angeles Galaxy got off to a less impressive start in 2011. They won the opening game against Seattle Sounders FC 1-0, ended with a 1-1 tie against New England Revolution, and lost 1-4 to Real Salt Lake. However, it is important to remember that Los Angeles is a star studded team that may do some real damage as the season progresses. Besides having David Beckham and Landon Donovan, the Galaxy have added some serious firepower to its squad by getting New York’s star striker Juan Pablo Angel and the young Brazilian Juninho.

The betting odds for both the teams are out. The best odds for Chelsea to win are 4/6, while for City it is 5.

The Blues, after their January arrivals have lately found an appropriate formation for the team. Almost immediately, David Luiz has fitted in the team. He is providing abundant threat in the challenger’s box and he is looking effortless with the physical nature of the league in defense.

For Wednesday night’s Champions League tie, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti maintains that he only benched £50 million striker Fernando Torres to keep him fresh for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The City team will expect Carlos Tevez to carry on his rich vein of form against Chelsea, as the team has been dependant on Tevez for goals ever since he arrived at the club. In his last five games against the Blues, the Argentinean has scored six, which has helped the club win their last three games against the Londoners. Currently, Roberto Mancini believes Carlos Tevez must be rested. He believes this will get back Tevez’s best moves for the game. If a hopeful campaign is to bring reward, City needs him to start firing on all cylinders again, with the Argentine striker’s form likely to have a chief impact on the Blues’ trophy voyage.

Chelsea is a -333 favorite to win the match and Blackpool is a +900 underdog in Soccer Betting Odds.

With having dangerous scorers in Didier Drogba and Flourent Malouda, Chelsea has been a dangerous offensive team. They also have Fernando Torres, who is still trying to break in with Chelsea, although he is always a threat to score. Chelsea is tough to beat, with Peter Cech in goal. By allowing just one goal in the 2-1 victory, Cech looked very strong against Manchester United.

In the English Premier League, Blackpool has had an up and down season. In the standings they are currently tied for 13th and they have had some strong wins and some shaky losses. They are not an easy out for any team though. For this team DJ Campbell and Charlie Adam have been the leading scorers. When those two play well the offense clicks. For this team Goaltending has been an issue. Even though Richard Kingston has had his share of struggles, he has established himself as the regular goalie.

To Wolverhampton, Blackpool is coming off of a 4-0 loss. During a tough stretch for them, the defense has been a weakness. Earlier this year they also lost 4-0 to Chelsea. Since then of course, a lot has changed for both teams. It seems that the Chelsea have weathered their bad stretch though it doesn’t look like Blackpool has done the same. For Blackpool a draw in this contest would be a huge achievement whereas for Chelsea it would be a crushing blow.

On Tuesday, Chelsea will be facing Ferguson’s team at Stamford Bridge. This match will be of immense magnitude for the former team to stand any possibility of holding on to their title. As per various sports betting odds websites Chelsea are 5/4 and Manchester United are 12/5. This week, Terry has tried to augment the pressure on United.

On Terry’s comments, Ferguson said that Terry’s team is free to try various things from their side and his team will try out too. He added that it is not easy for Chelsea to come back from that kind of points deficit. He had earlier said that a team who is more consistent in the league would be entitled for the title and this is the reason why he stressed on the fact that momentum should be unremitting and attain consistency.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes that there are just couple of teams who will lock horns in a straight shoot-out for the Premier League title and they are Manchester United and Arsenal.

Over the Gunners, United currently hold a one-point advantage, although Gunners have played a game more. In recent weeks, the two sides having pulled away from the chasing pack. Reigning champions Chelsea pursue United by 12 points, Manchester City are now eight points adrift of the pinnacle.

As per Ferguson, Arsenal are United’s only pragmatic competitors for a record 19th title and the season is now following a familiar pattern of two teams fighting it out for the crown. This season, United have won just three times on their travels and Fergie admits this record is not good enough. They would like to progress it in the Tuesday’s forthcoming match against old competitor Chelsea.