Watching Barca/Sporting Gijon, I heard the question raised:

Which is the better league: La Liga or EPL?

The discussion included the following points:
1) The top 10 in EPL would beat the top 10 in La Liga
2) Real Madrid and Barcelona have won 22 of the last 25 La Liga titles
3) Lower EPL teams would put up a better fight against Big Four teams than Sporting Gijon did against Barca

Addressing point 1:

Barca>Man U (deal with it)
Arsenal>Atletico Madrid
Valencia>Aston Villa (even if Valencia are broke)
Fulham vs Deportivo: Who cares?  Fine, I'll give it to Fulham
 
That makes it 5-5.  5-4 in favor of La Liga if you don't care about the Fulham/Deportivo matchup.  Not exactly convincing.

Addressing Point 2:

Yes, and the big four have won 28 of the 34 EPL titles since 1975.  And does anyone think the EPL's hegemony at the top will ever be broken by a team without a super-rich sugar daddy?

Addressing point 3:

Gijon barely avoided the drop last year after a decade in the second division, so it's unfair to compare them to the bottom of the EPL.  Have these guys heard of West Brom and/or Derby County?
60  Comments
By  ruxspin
01.09.2009 00:21
ESPN is new and very American SOCCER talk orientated . The Villa vs Espanapool match didn,t even give us an ex Villa pundit !, your match ups are they home or away or neutral ,EPL or La Liga ref's? The idea should be put the top ten Spanish teams into the EPL play 38 competitive games and see em struggle. there not as fit they don't like snow rain or mud! and as in Germany have a good rest at christmas time. A good point raised ruined by your Anglophobic prejudice !
01.09.2009 00:47
Obviously, I'm considering the most impartial conditions possible: in England (during a blizzard, so technique is irrelevant), with an English ref, and with Sky Sports' Andy Gray doing the commentary.
By  ruxspin
01.09.2009 13:21
Andy Gray top striker ,poor commentator SKY reports are biased to the old guard top four to boost viewing figures! Playing in raw weather is no different from EPL players playing in blazing hot sun on rock hard pitches . just admit you got upset when the commentator told it as it is ! EPL 1 - La Liga 0
By  ruxspin
01.09.2009 13:23
The so called big four will be split up this season Espaniapool in big decline.
01.09.2009 13:51
My entire comment was sarcastic.Yeah, EPL teams may play more matches and perhaps require more fitness, but is that what football is all about? Power, strength and endurance, rather than finesse, tactics and skill? I'd also argue that many EPL teams do not have vastly superior fitness. After all, how many times have you seen top four teams held for 75 minutes before they suddenly break through and control the match over the last quarter hour?Anyway, which team do you think will finish fourth? I'll tip my cap to you if any team other than Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Man City, finishes ahead of Liverpool.
By  ruxspin
01.09.2009 14:21
Power,strength and fitness are part of any modern sport including football ,I have seen finesse and skill in La Liga just as many strikes way of target , stray passes etc. In euro football teams allow you to pass around until you cross the halfway line BORING!, And diving and rolling around crying definetly started in latin country's and spread . Real Madrid would be penniless if it was an EPL club it would be accused of financial irregularities the constant refinancing by Madrid city council aka Spanish government is a disgrace.
01.09.2009 23:13
Perhaps I should rephrase my question:Out of the following, which do you value more: 1) Power, strength, and fitness 2) Finesse and skillWant to know a football team that doesn't allow anyone to pass around until the halfway line? Barcelona. They defend with their forwards in traditional Dutch (hey, Holland is in continental Europe!) fashion. You want to know what team allows other teams to pass around until the back until the halfway line? Chelsea (refer to Barca/Chelsea in last year's CL). And just about any team that faces the big four defends with 10 men behind the ball.And really, unless you denounce Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man U, and perhaps Arsenal (and essentially all that the EPL has become), you have no right to criticize Real Madrid for their financial practices. As a fan of German football, I have such a right, and I do criticize Real. One thing about La Liga that I really respect: all its teams are owned by the fans, rather than random wealthy individuals who know nothing about football, and think of it as little more than a hobby.
By  ruxspin
01.09.2009 23:36
Clark don't sulk it's all about opinion . 1. I value them all ,they all contribute to a great game invented in ? 2.All continental teams rest until the ball is near them , I didn't see Zlatan running around defending? Posesion is the biggest factor in games so long ball makes it easy for Spanish and German's to beat us. Your now drawing Holland into this ! Barca sacked the Dutch guy and Bayern Moaners are already unhappy with Van Gaal. 3. I have as much right as any one to doubt Real's integrity. 4. Now your against wealth , lets all play for a bowl of rice ?The Spanish fans are conned into thinking they own the club really they just vote every so often for a wealthy individual!
01.09.2009 23:42
I'd love to give my analysis of your opinions, but I won't do you the honor of responding to yours until you respond to mine.
02.09.2009 00:11
Dont put West Brom in the mix! Most EPL football knowledgable people will admit West Brom are a very good team only lacking in that final ingredient. If you watched every game you would realise the final result does not tell the full story so dont put us in Derbys league, and you said us first. My national team is Italy- maybe your still bitter about the 2006 world cup Semi-Final???!!!
02.09.2009 00:13
Yes, I think West Brom are rubbish because Germany lost in the 2006 World Cup semis.
02.09.2009 00:19
To a superior Italian team, Check Derby's season in EPL and all of West Broms then tell me they compare!!!
By  ruxspin
02.09.2009 00:28
Clark i told you about sulking It's your Adidas (more corruption) ball so pick it up and go home but please don't make any more silly remarks ! P.S. I agree West Brom are unknown in Spain and Germany ,even people in Walsall have never heard of them. Clark is it soccer or football? NUFF SAID
02.09.2009 03:00
Don't listen to them Clark, teddy ruxspin's clearly an idiot, since he supports a team that got knocked out during Europa Cup QUALIFYING. Also their captain considers leaving the club 2 seasons ago to go to Liverpool because he wants Champions League football, he decides to stay at Villa, then he leaves for a team that isn't even in the Europa Cup! Must have wanted to get out of shitty old Birmingham more than he wanted Champions League football. teddy's clearly still a little bitter still about England not qualifying for Euro 2008, since England are the 'inventors' of football and all. It'd be interesting to see the EPL teams play the teams that finished in the same position last season in La Liga. I'd have to give the edge overall to the EPL, but then again, is it really the English Premier League anymore? It's only the English league because it's played in England. And before teddy ruxspin gets on here and says something about all of Liverpool's foreign players, all I can say is that I'm not the one that is responsible for the transfers and signings. How's life at mid-table teddy?
02.09.2009 03:00
02.09.2009 03:06
@ ryanljones, for your info Villa are not a mid table team you stupid scouse. Liverpool lose 1 player (Alonso_) and have fell apart! Liverpool will finish where they belong this year, seria A spits on any scouse supporter,Birmingham or Liverpool?- i know where i would rather be(and i will still have my car stereo in place!!!
By  ruxspin
02.09.2009 03:16
How is mid table Ryan ? You didn't sign any foreign players don't you run the club Clark thinks thats how Spanish clubs like yours are run? Espaniapool "Shankly must be turning in his grave" god bless him. If foreign players want to play here thats there choice is Stevie G fit enough to play for England this week or will Rafa send in a sick note ? If you think Birminghams a s**t hole you must be a wooly back snob! why have you only half a head? If Clark can't win his own soccer debate butt out sheepy!
02.09.2009 03:18
Ryan and Clark sitting in a tree...............
02.09.2009 03:22
And for your info Ryan, Teddy Ruxspin is one of the greatest football minds of our time, he advises sky and writes their scripts!!! Whosthe idiot now???
02.09.2009 03:27
@ Coz, let's see at the end of the season where Aston Villa is. Yeah, Liverpool have had a tough time without Alonso. I don't think Lucas is the answer, and it would have helped if we have replaced Alonso with a healthy player, but Aquilani might end up paying off. Nice job on the insults, but I'm not scouse. It's crazy how racist and biased you nutty Brits are, considering you're on an island where you can drive from London to Liverpool in a few hours, in the same amount of time that it would take me to drive the entire length of Florida! And I can tell where you'd rather be, since West Brom are in the championship and your manager bailed after last season to coach Celtic. Probably sick of spinning his wheels at a great CHAMPIONSHIP club. Enjoy football on Monday nights. Oh, and work on your typing...you Brits invented football and the English language, and you can't do either one right.
02.09.2009 03:35
@ teddy ruxspin, yeah, mid table's great man, considering it's early doors yet. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Still a ways to go. Wow, I have no idea what the rest of your post said, since you are clearly struggling with your own language. I think all the Spanish players for Liverpool speak better English than you. I'm a wooly back snob? Way to cross a line man. Clark was doing fine having a rational conversation about footy, then you jumped in and started discussing things that weren't relevant, like you always do. All I'm saying is, let's discuss things rationally and calmly, is that too much to ask? You're bringing up Shankly and Gerrard playing for England...is any of that relevant? Get real man. @ Coz, yeah, teddy seems like a great football mind alright. Yeah I've seen Sky's coverage and I always wondered why it sucked, it's good to finally know why!
By  ruxspin
02.09.2009 03:36
So it's SOCCER should have guessed . The scouse race crikey you ain't been to Harvard ! Don't you colonials fight turf wars over a few streets(blocks to you)? Far better to be from a small island than a backward state! Give my regards to Disney you p**ck!
02.09.2009 03:42
It's soccer to everybody else here. What everybody else here calls 'football' is really throwball. 'You ain't be to Harvard'? Yeah, you haven't been to Oxford. Yeah us colonials do nothing but hang out and fight turf wars all day long. Yeah, Florida is a pretty backwards state, that is true. I'll give my regards to Disney when you give yours to not playing in Europe!
By  ruxspin
02.09.2009 03:46
I am entitled to have my opinion Clark and yourself become abusive , It's not very colonial to offer the olive branch ? rational and calm like Clark and you wooly back snob English is our language your just borrowing it until you all learn Spanish Hola!
By  ruxspin
02.09.2009 03:52
Villa park,Birmingham and England is part of europe ,so we do play in europe not oxford just the school of hard knocks! Please move on with your American nightmare and go watch Florida Galaxy or something similar.
02.09.2009 03:53
Read all of your previous posts, they are all abusive. Also, you jumped on my Liverpool post and decided to say something along the lines of,'Gerrard should be locked up' when it was unnecessary. So you've got a track record of being an idiot and jumping in where your opinion isn't needed; I just thought I'd return the favor. Yeah, I can't speak for Clark, but I know I can discuss things pretty rationally. And keep your stupid phrase, while you continue to borrow Young and Agbonlahor from a big four and/or big foreign club.
02.09.2009 03:54
"@ Coz, let's see at the end of the season where Aston Villa is" you mean where aston villa ARE. learn your tenses u dumb ass! And im not British but i do believe the British Empire ruled half the globe??!! Seeing as your the one to start i take it you are a dumb ass Yank, Blow it up and hope it turns out alright!, I believe you won the second world war on your own? (Come in at the end-Bollocks) Lets all start Shi***ng ourselves at the thought of the mighty U.S of A next year in Africa!
02.09.2009 03:56
Gerrard for HMP Australia! Valid point Ted, lock the Tramp up!
02.09.2009 03:56
You're not 'playing in Europe', as in you're not playing in a European club competition. Is that clear enough for you? You knew what I meant, you're just being stupid. My geography's quite fine, thanks. 'American nightmare'? What does that even mean? I love the Florida Galaxy, since they had a better chance of winning Euro 2008 than England did! Hola!
02.09.2009 04:04
Is "go cut your hair cause you look like a girl and going on your American lets wave a gun to get what we want leadership pu**y mentality that's not a good image cause we rule the world" clear enough for you??? Who else borrows a language an changes odd words to make it different, what the hell is diaper, block and the rest of the sh*t you say about? At least do it right!
02.09.2009 04:05
I think American Nightmare means being there!
02.09.2009 04:05
British Empire? When was this, the 1500's? Hey, I can't help how the government runs things man. I don't believe in trying to invade every nation. There's a pretty good liberal uprising here, which is nice to see. People that don't want to just blow everybody up. Yeah, I think a lot of the US's success at the World Cup will rest on the groups. To be fair, we did get a pretty tough group in 2006...I think we got Italy and Brazil or something like that. Hopefully we get an easier draw than that this time. Plus, we did manage the upset against a full-strength Spain at the Confederations Cup. And almost beat Brazil in the final as well. Not saying we'll win the World Cup, but I think some of you snobbier footballing nations are starting to get a little nervous that the US might be becoming a half-decent side all of a sudden.
By  ruxspin
02.09.2009 04:09
your being stupid Florida can't win Euro 2008 1. It's to late 2. They have to be a country to enter 3.They have to be in Europe or Israel to play 4. And a member of EUFA Great job defending Clark you should be a lawyer (attorney to you folks) I'm coming to Florida to see gator land next year do you know of anywhere cheap to stay?
02.09.2009 04:11
Well unlike you i don't mind what group Italy get, Don't moan about your group or ask for an easy one, " TO BE THE BEST YOU GOTTA BEAT THE BEST" Don't they say that in American films a lot??? Can't we blame political correctness and "compensation culture on your nation too? In fact a lot of things wrong in this world are the fault of one nation- guess which one???
02.09.2009 04:15
Really, you didn't understand that I was being sarcastic? Wow...I guess England didn't win it because they aren't a member of EUFA either? We call them lawyers here too. Most people say lawyers, but only lawyers refer to themselves as attorneys. Man, I think anywhere in Orlando would be pretty cheap. There's pretty good competition as far as hotels go, so you should be able to get a pretty good rate. I've never been to Gator Land before, but as long as you have a good time. I'd try to make it in the winter if I were you, for about 6 months of the year, it is unbearably hot and humid. Just a warning for you.
By  ruxspin
02.09.2009 04:18
I like MLS and your national team and think your players prove they can play all over the world by being in those leagues Brad Freidel,Brad Guzman and Eric Lichaj play for Villa ! and Randy Lerner and General Krulak own and run Villa the General actually circulates amongst the fans. Will Gillette and Hicks do like wise at Anfield i doubt it!
02.09.2009 04:19
Hey, Coz, I'm not disagreeing with you man. Really, I'm not. But are we really going to get into politics? I'm not saying that because I'm American, and all the crazy shit that America has done around the world...I'm just saying, this is a footy website, and this could be a really long discussion that no one wants to hear. Oh, and try avoiding shopping at Tesco, your just supporting Yanks when you do that. I believe they are owned by Wal-Mart? The dirtiest company ever...watch 'Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices". And have a lot of alcohol around when you decide to watch it, it's depressing. Oh, and watch Sicko too, if you want to really laugh at Americans.
02.09.2009 04:19
We invented sarcasm, Americans got the dry sense of humour gene! A typing error of EUFA and UEFA are understanable when typing in argumental discussion.Plus its past 3AM here so the lights not good!
02.09.2009 04:25
I watched Sicko, loved it! Especially the face on the somalian immigrants when Moore asked them how much they paid for their baby as they were leaving an NHS hospital(they must have been to America first) and Wal-Mart own ASDA not Tesco
By  ruxspin
02.09.2009 04:25
I'm off to poke the missus ! Ryan and Coz feel free to massdebate! Good game Ryan zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
02.09.2009 04:27
Oh and the cuban "inhalers" at 5 cence a pop compared to the American $125. Greatest nation on Earth!
02.09.2009 04:30
@ teddy, MLS has gotten a lot better over the years man. That isn't saying much, it was really hard to watch back when it started. Well, to be fair, most American players playing in Europe are riding the benches. Some aren't though (Dempsey, I think Beasley when he's healthy, of course all of our goalkeepers). Friedel's a solid keeper that really hasn't had a fair chance at being the US #1 unfortunately. Guzan might be pretty good someday. Never heard of Lichaj to be honest. Randy Lerner is a great owner, seems to let O'Neill do his thing and stays out of his way. Too bad Hicks and Gillett are such idiots. I just don't think they understand footy and how important it is over there. It's not like the baseball and hockey teams that they've invested in. Nobody gives a shit about the Texas Rangers.
02.09.2009 04:35
@ Coz, yeah the Cuban bit was depressing. The irony of Americans sneaking into Cuba to get health care...pretty funny. It's true though, people lose everything here trying to pay for an operation that they need to live. And the opposition that Obama's health care plan is getting is unbelievable. People are bringing guns to town hall debates...it's crazy. My friend (supports United unfortunately) and I agreed that if McCain won the presidential election, we'd be moving to Europe. It still might happen though, give it a few years. Americans are already getting impatient with Obama. Bush made sure to fuck up as much as he could before he left office. Obama's got a lot to fix, and a lot of close-minded people to convince before he can do any of that.
02.09.2009 04:39
...Can't we all just agree that we hate Chelsea?
02.09.2009 06:37
I provided some snide remarks. If you call that abusive, I have no words for you. I'll also add that I never endorsed anyone's comments but my own.Now, could you guys kindly move this argument off my blog?
02.09.2009 13:30
We all hate Chelsea!
02.09.2009 19:21
And Clark im not on your Bog ( toilet to u)
03.09.2009 02:36
Clark, he is just upset about 3 world cups and 3 euros compared to only 1 world cup. The top 4 in England do well because the arent english players. I dont keep up with the EPL so im not exactly sure but I think Man U has the most english players starting and thats probably only 3. 40 years without a world cup or euro and they cant find 1 english manager good enough to manage the national team
03.09.2009 18:55
Its actually Aston Villa Sacsich, they are only team in England that can field an all England 11, be it u19,u21 or full so check facts first and dont guess. Why would i be jelous of 3 world cups when Italy have 4??? I didn't get your point!
04.09.2009 00:44
last time i checked, aston villa werent part of the top 4 in the EPL. i was responding to teddy ruxpin and not you. an italian who likes west brom..............hmmmm
By  ruxspin
04.09.2009 00:55
Sachsich okay we were 6th but we did beat Bayern Moaners in the 1982 European Cup. I suppose you were still in lederhosen then ?
04.09.2009 17:06
The EPL has 20 teams in it not 4. England being such a small island and all i don't think they do that bad. When you take the whole world into account the percentage of footballers in the UK is tiny so odds say you nee to scout the world to have a league as good as the EPL-not my fault the worlds finest want to play in the birthplace of football!
04.09.2009 20:19
This is something of a false argument, although certainly entertaining. It really comes down to national priorities. In England, it's all about the EPL or seeing your club promoted from one level of competition to another. In Spain, there's tribal factions at work like there is in England, but it tends to be spread amongst regional influences - Madridistas versus Catalonians versus Andalucians, what have you. In Italy and Germany, for instance, it's all about the National Team above everything else. If you've watched what Juventus are doing they have four fifths of the National Team backline on one team. That is not by mistake. Measuring
04.09.2009 22:55
Teddy, nice one. Forgot about 82
07.09.2009 21:03
@Teddy: just wondering. does rock hard pitch worse from plastic fantastic? and you write the scripts for them channels? hahahaha. no wonder you hate Clark's comments :))))
By  kasode
25.10.2009 13:43
manchester has will en always be the best club in england
By  kasode
25.10.2009 13:47
manchetser has never been the same since the departure of christiano ronaldo is trully a wrong statement, we can win the titles without him
13.12.2009 18:24
hey clark, man utd can easily beat barca. u get too excited with last years final. and villareal beating everton? they cant beat gijon, and theyll win against everton? and IF ur goin by champs league results, remember how pool destroyed madrid? this post made me laugh...
13.12.2009 22:02
You're responding to a post from more than three months ago and using results from two weeks ago (Gijon/Villarreal) and nine months ago (Liverpool/Real Madrid).I can construct a similarly ludicrous (and massively faulty argument), too!Hamburg is better than Juventus (1982-83 European Cup) and Real Madrid (1979-80 European Cup)And while I'm at it, Bremen>Chelsea (weren't you watching in 2006?)
14.12.2009 05:43
and man utd vs barca??? get the point now?
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