Super week-end results.

A fantastic week-end really, with 5 winning recommendations, plus one voided, out of the 6 that I gave out. Barcelona, Madrid, Man City, Napoli and Marseille all won, while Villa drew with Fulham for a voided bet.

This was a week-end of glorious missed opportunities for some of the major pretenders in the Premier League. How sick must Arsenal be after their 4-4 draw at Newcastle? I can't recall a team coming back from 4 goals previously. Man Utd had a chance to widen the gap at the top, and it miserably failed at Wolves. Chelsea's slim hopes of retaining its title are all but over after another defeat, this time to a resurgent Liverpool team. Next week-end's Manchester derby looks pivotal and we shall get to it as it nears.

I don't know if there is anything surer in sports than punting on Barcelona these days. They brushed aside Athletico Madrid with another hat-trick from Messi. Real Madrid expectedly kept pace by beating Real Sociedad with a fine brace from Ronaldo. The pace at which these 2 players are scoring is just phenomenal. I am trying to recall if the great midfielders of the last 30 years had as good a strike rate as them. Certainly not any wingers that I can remember. Zidane scored many important goals but not at this pace. The 2 names that come closest to my mind are Maradona and Zico, both of whom probably did not score with such persistency; but to be fair, they also did not have a fabulous supporting cast as those two.

I can't see anything of value for Monday, but will keep you posted on anything that catches the eye this week. Have a good week.