Palop: Barcelona Will Win The League

Andrés Palop believes that Barcelona are the clear favourites to win the Spanish league title this term after their incredible start to the campaign and their style of play.

The Sevilla keeper is preparing to face the Blaugrana on Saturday and knows that he could be in for a busy evening against Pep Guardiola's in-form team.

While tipping Barça for top spot, Palop thinks that Madrid will just sneak the runners-up spot ahead of his own team, while Valencia will end up taking the fourth position.

"I believe that Barça will win the league because of the great football that they have been playing," he told Barcelona's official club website.

"Real Madrid will probably finish in second place, while we will be third and Valencia will be fourth."

Daniel Alves and Seydou Keita return to Sevilla for the first time since they left the club in the summer to move to Camp Nou and Palop admits that while it will be strange, he wants to beat them.

"I am looking forward to facing them," he said. "I always like taking on the best players in the world, even though it will be a bit strange to see them in a shirt that is not Sevilla’s.

"I hope that they do not have a good day on Saturday, but I wish them all the best from Sunday onwards."

While the media and pundits all talk about Barça being reliant on Lionel Messi to help them win games, Palop is a huge fan of another of Guardiola's stars.

"Xavi is the alma mater of the team," the keeper stated. "He is the complete player as he dominates games from the midfield. Of the great players that Barça have I think he is the best, without doubt."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com