Barcelona is sitting comfortably atop the Spanish League, but most have overlooked this in favor of another major story surrounding the team.
Lionel Messi added another two goals against Spartak Moscow on Tuesday to bring his goal tally in 2012 to 80. He is now just five short of tying Gerd Muller's record set in 1972. With just five goals left to score (or six to break the record) Messi is now within striking distance. Aside from Messi however, all the other players need to start picking up the slack. Messi has five of Barcelona's 11 goals and has factored in three other assists. He has essentially created or finished eight of 11 goals for Barca in the UCL. In La Liga Messi has factored in on 22 of 39 Barca goals. He has scored 17 of those set up another five. That means that Messi has produced 56 percent of Barcelona's goals this season. Obviously no one wants to imagine an injury to the superstar, but how would Barcelona manage without him. These numbers indicate that such stars as Alexis Sanchez and David Villa need to step up in major ways if this team has any chance of continuing its ascension.
Levante is currently in fourth place with 20 points and could pose some problems as they look to rise in the standings. They have a solid record of four wins, one loss, and one draw at home this season and have scored 11 of their 15 goals at home while only allowing seven.
Prediction: Barcelona will not win every game this season. Levante is one of the strong sides in the Spanish League and are home. Barcelona won't lose this one, but I think a 1-1 draw is a possibility here.
Start Time: 3 PM EST
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