The draw is probably as good as it could get for us. The first 9 matches are basically all winnable, and then we play away to Barca. Even later in the season we only have one potential banana skin with consecutive trips to Osasuna and Valencia, and then the return fixtures when we play Malaga (a), Barca (h) and then Seville (a). Our first round also features only Barca and Valencia away - from the big teams.

Contrary, Barca have a tough start: away to Malaga and Valencia, home to Seville in Rounds 2, 3 and 4, and away games to Betis, Bilbao and Atletico before the first round is over.

The Scheduling Gods have been very kind to Carlo, but if Barcelona starts as well as last season and then beats us in Round 10 at Nou Camp (who'd bet against that right now?), we'll be losing the league before second round matches even start. Sort of a double-edged sword, but I guess Ancelotti will take an easy start so he can make the team play more to his liking. I'd still make Barca the overwhelming favourites for La Liga, though.

Some tough ass away matches after the Clasico. Osasuna, Rayo, Almeria and Valencia, never pleasant trips for the boys in white...