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La Liga betting: Time for Barcelona to prioritise

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Dan "The Betting Man" Fitch investigates the problems at the Nou Camp as they host UEFA Cup high-flyers Getafe

Life sometimes dictates that you have to make priorities. As much as I'd like to write a novel, do DIY or give my time to charity, my heavy schedule of relentless drinking, watching Seinfeld DVDs and playing Football Manager, prevents me from doing so.

Having thrown away the chance to get back into the La Liga title race for the umpteenth time this season, now might be time for Barcelona to take stock of their priorities. Having won the away leg of their Champions League quarter final against Schalke, Barcelona have one foot in the last four.

Barcelona host Getafe at the Nou Camp on Sunday night, but their thoughts and hopes, will no doubt be focused on the their second leg against Schalke in midweek. All of which could see Barca slump to another disappointment in La Liga.

For weeks everyone has been talking about the battle between Real and Barcelona for the title, but whilst they've both been busy shooting themselves in the foot, another challenger has come up on the rails. Villarreal are now just six points behind Madrid and are certainly the side with the momentum.

Whilst Real have lost nine times in 2008 and Barcelona won just eleven of their twenty three games played this year, Villarreal are in great form. They are unbeaten in their last nine La Liga games, which includes a win over Barcelona.

Real Madrid are [1.22] to win La Liga, with Barcelona [8.8] and Villarreal a decent punt at [14.5], having been backed as high as [290]. Some will write off their chances, citing Sevilla's collapse last season. But Sevilla were in the title race right from the off and found the pressure too hard to handle. Villarreal have only got involved as we come to the season's conclusion and could well take advantage of the nervousness of those around them.

They've already risen above Barcelona, who slumped to third place, having fallen apart against Real Betis last week. The fact that Barca are not at least neck and neck with Real Madrd given the latter's terrible form, shows what a mess Frank Rijkaard has found himself in.

Only two seasons ago they were playing the best football in the world, but their attempts to improve upon this side, has seen it instead fall into disarray. It is impossible to assimilate the quartet of Eto'o, Messi, Ronaldinho and Henry into a starting eleven and having to juggle such talents is a difficult challenge with such egos involved.

Rijkaard has also attempted to make his defence more stable by employing less gung ho full backs. But they miss the thrust, that these runs from deep gave the team. Remember that it was the introduction of Beletti that sparked their Champions League final win over Arsenal.

The former Holland manager is a certainty to leave Barcelona in the summer, having seemingly lost control of his squad. Rumours are rife that the players at Barcelona do as much or as little as they wish in training. Chief culprit in the bone idle stakes, is of course Ronaldinho, who'll also be out the door come June. With the emergence of Bojan, Barcelona are top heavy with attackers and should also ship out Henry, whilst they've still got the chance of getting some money for him.

Having had Bernd Schuster leave them for Real Madrid, Getafe have progressed well this season under Michael Laudrup. They're in a safe mid-table position in the league, have reached a second successive Spanish cup final and on Thursday night recorded a brilliant 1-1 score in the UEFA Cup away leg against Bayern Munich.

Inevitably this has lead to rumours about Laudrup's future, especially as the Dane played for both Barcelona and Madrid. It is at Real though, where he is held in the most affection and this is Laudrup's more likely destination.

Luckily for Barca, their opponents will also be preoccupied with European adventures, but Barcelona are far too short at [1.39] with the draw a good price at [5.1] and Getafe [10]. I expect a slow start and this is a game to approach in-play. When it comes to making priorities this Sunday night, choose this match over Heartbeat.