Is Real Madrid starting to choke?

When Real Madrid opened up a 10-point lead in Spain, it looked like the league title was on ice. But Barcelona have won six on the trot since a shocking defeat at Osasuna on Feb. 11, while Los Blancos have drawn two matches in a four-day span, including Wednesday's ill-tempered affair at relegation threatened Villarreal.

After Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil were sent off in the dying minutes and Jose Mourinho was also ejected, the excuses came fast and furious from Madrid. Who would expect anything less?

And now there's a real threat that Barcelona can snatch the title away with a victory over Real Madrid at the Cam Nou on Matchday 35 considered a mere formality. And obviously Barcelona must win their remaining nine fixtures as well, but that has to be doable now.

So the question is will Real Madrid drop points? We don't think they will lose another match besides the Barcelona fixture - Real Madrid after all have only two total defeats this season.

The only tricky home fixture is a visit by Valencia that comes the weekend after APOEL comes in for their beatdown. Away there are trips to relegation-threatened Gijon - which beat Real Madrid last season - and cross-town rival Atletico. Keep in mind, Real Madrid has 14 wins and 5 draws against the Atleti since they returned to the top-flight in 2002-03 with 8 wins and 1 draw at the Calderon.

Let's say that Real Madrid draws one of those two. The other tough fixture where we see a slip-up is Barcelona's last banana peel - Osasuna. Los Rojillos have been beaten twice in 15 home matches and Real Madrid have failed to win in Pamplona each of the last three seasons. And the home side will be out to avenge a 7-1 loss at the Bernabeu.

This race is far from over. And even if Real Madrid do not win any trophies this season, there are still more important things to focus on.

Bundesliga Matchday 25 predictions

Friday night

VfB Stuttgart v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 3-1
VfB put four past Hamburg on the road last week and have bagged a league-high 18 since the winter break.

Saturday

1. FC Köln v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 1-2
Now that Podolski is gone, will Köln be motivated the rest of the campaign?

Bayern München v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 3-0
This blog is hoping that Markus Babbel will prove to Bayern that he will never be their coach.

VfL Wolfsburg v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 1-2
Leverkusen were embarrassed by their 7-1 loss at Barcelona, but they are confident they will bounce back. So are we.

Mönchengladbach v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 2-0
'Gladbach should fare well enough to end their winless streak at two matches.

FSV Mainz 05 v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 2-1
Der Klube have been terrific and may have their sights set on Europe. That will change after a visit to the Coface Arena.

FC Augsburg v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
Jurgen Klopp believes his side will have a tough trip to Bavaria, and we tend to agree since Augsburg are battling hard.

Sunday
Werder Bremen v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-1
These sides are separated by one point, and Bremen will want to keep Hannover behind them.

FC Schalke 04 v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 3-0
Schalke have dropped two straight on the road but are unbeaten in their last seven in the league at the Veltins Arena.

Is the EPL really any better than the Bundesliga?

Many football fans criticize this blog for the heavy Bundesliga coverage. To be fair, that's because the other contributors don't have the guts to put their views on display for all to see like yours truly, ZooterMogul!

But this football season has seen the mighty EPL embarrass themselves, time and time again. And again.

But how does England's top flight compare to Germany's this year? Let's look at it from a team-by-team basis based on how the table stands currently.

1. Manchester City v. Borussia Dortmund.

Both teams crashed out of Champions League, but City were at least good enough to earn a coveted Europa League spot. Dortmund play a far better style of football but City have been gritty in grinding out results.

Edge: City.

2. Manchester United v. Bayern München.

Sure United are the more-fancied side with their superstars but Bayern have superstars as well. We think that the German club would win a two-legged tie against United, much like they did two years ago.

Edge: Bayern.

3. Tottenham Hotspur v. Mönchengladbach.

Tottenham showed in their last two games that they cannot defend. 'Gladbach have the best defence in Germany, yielding 15 goals. Spurs are probably more lethal in attack but we'll take Lucien Favre over Harry Redknapp in the managerial matchup.

Edge: 'Gladbach.

4. Arsenal FC v. Schalke FC.

Both teams have their domestic league's scoring leaders, with Robin Van Persie lighting it up in London and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar doing the same in Germany when he's not clashing heads with English players. This is a very tight matchup, but hard to trust Arsenal against any competent opponent.

Edge: Schalke.

5. Chelsea FC v. Bayer Leverkusen.

These sides met in Champions League play and the home team won each matchup. While Andres Villas-Boas is out with the Blues, Robin Dutt continues to hold onto his job at Leverkusen although many want him out. Another tough call.

Edge: Even.

6. Newcastle v. Werder Bremen.

Newcastle goals for, 39, goals against 39. Bremen goals for, 37, goals against 38. (Former Hoffenheim star) Demba Ba - 16 goals for Newcastle. Claudio Pizarro - 15 goals for Bremen. Since former Freiburg star Papiss Demba Cisse is now in England, we'll give the EPL this one.

Edge: Newcastle.

7. Liverpool v. Hannover 96.

Sure Liverpool have the pedigree but this current squad have drawn eight times at home with one defeat. Hannover have yet to lose at home and the 96ers are still alive in Europe unlike the Reds. Hard to favour Liverpool in this matchup after they were dropped by their German kit sponsor.

Edge: Hannover.

8. Fulham v. VfB Stuttgart.

Pavel Pogrebnyak scored one goal in 14 appearances for Stuttgart. He's scored five times in three games for the Cottagers. 'Nuff said.

Edge: Stuttgart.

We'll end the discussion there since we believe the rest of the teams are too terrible to acknowledge. But it looks like the Bundesliga has a clear edge! Sorry English fans!

Bundesliga Matchday 24 review

Saturday
Hertha BSC v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 0-1
Actual result: 1-0
Hey, who expected this?

SC Freiburg v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 0-2
Actual result: 2-1
There were no excuses from Huub Stevens after this one, but the internationals may have played a role.

Hamburger SV v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 0-4
This was not just a loss, this was utter embarrassment at home courtesy of Paulo Guerrero.

1. FC Kaiserslautern v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 0-0
Not much to report on this goalless encounter.

Bayer Leverkusen v. Bayern München
Prediction: 1-1
Actual result: 2-0
Bayern are seven points out of the top spot and writing off their title chances.

Hannover 96 v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 3-1
Actual result: 2-2
Augsburg have actually been playing inspired football although they have dropped into the bottom three.

Borussia Dortmund v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 3-0
Actual result: 2-1
Egyptian star Zidan got a goal for the visitors but the champions got another three points.

Sunday
1. FC Nürnberg v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 1-2
Actual result: 1-0
Herrmann's absence continues to plague 'Gladbach.

1899 Hoffenheim v. 1. FC Köln
Prediction: 2-1
Actual result: 1-1
The Goats host Hertha next weekend in a relegation six-pointer for the ages!

Bundesliga Matchday 24 predictions

Given Hertha's ridiculous play, TBG doesn't have the heart to do this week's picks with full gusto. Sorry!

Saturday
Hertha BSC v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 0-1
Expect Hertha to lose.

SC Freiburg v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 0-2

Hamburger SV v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 2-1

1. FC Kaiserslautern v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 1-2

Bayer Leverkusen v. Bayern München
Prediction: 1-1
Leverkusen have failed to beat Bayern in their last 14 attempts.

Hannover 96 v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 3-1

Borussia Dortmund v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 3-0
The champions won't have the suspended Kehl.

Sunday
1. FC Nürnberg v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 1-2

1899 Hoffenheim v. 1. FC Köln
Prediction: 2-1
I hate Markus Babbel!