Is this the Greatest Liga Season Ever?

Spain's La Liga has reached its halfway point and it has seen quite possibly the closest title race in many years. As of last weekend, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are tied on 51 points with Real Madrid 1 point behind on 50 points.

It is perhaps a fair reflection of the current form in Spain - Barca and Atletico Madrid are probably not quite at their best at the moment having stuttered to two draws from three matches while Real Madrid have closed down a significant 6 point gap to just 1 after their defeats to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid earlier seemed to have stymied the title chances of Carlo Ancelotti's men.

Perhaps it is also indicative of the pressure of a very tight title race where it appears there is not much between the two Madrid clubs and the Catalans - the main surprise is probably the fact that previously unheralded Atletico Madrid have hung on in the title race for so long when in previous seasons they would have fallen off the pace and settled for Champions League football next season.

Indeed, not since the days of Valencia, Real Sociedad and Deportivo la Coruna in the last decade, has La Liga seen a credible title challenger to Real Madrid and Barcelona's supremacy which has been almost stifling at times in the last 7 seasons - some have even called Spain's La Liga a glamorous and glorified Scottish Premier League.

So why has La Liga suddenly become so competitive at the top end of the table?

There are several reasons and factors.

Neymar's absence has affected Barcelona's form in recent weeks

Barcelona are certainly not the side they can be in previous seasons. While up front they are as great as ever with the signing of Neymar along with the early season form of Alexis Sanchez, the midfield doesn't appear to be as dynamic and exciting as it has been - the rumours over Xavi's departure to the MLS might be an unwelcome distraction for the Catalans. Defensively, they have also been found wanting at times and have missed Carlos Puyol's influence at times.

However, you wouldn't liken Barcelona's decline to that of Manchester United's this season - not by a long margin.

Credit must go to Atletico Madrid who have somehow gone from strength to strength even with the departure of last season's top scorer, Radamel Falcao to Monaco. They used the money from Falcao's sale well with the signing of David Villa - Diego Costa's step up to the plate as lead striker has also meant that the red half of Madrid could build on their success of last season. The next step is having the mental fortitude to capitalize on the slip ups of Barca and Real Madrid and take control of the league - something that Atletico have failed to do so far this season, including that recent 1-1 home draw with Sevilla, and one that could ultimately cost them their first title since 1996.

As for Real Madrid, they started slowly as their big signings took time to gel but on the back of current FIFA Ballon D'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, they have ground out wins away from home while being dazzling at home and climbed right back into contention for the title. Right now, they are the form team in Spain and their strength in depth means they will be title contenders right to the end. After all the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti at the start of the season, it might very well be the Italian who has the last laugh.

Should all three stay in the chase for the title right until May - and it's quite likely given the form of the trio this season so far - the destiny of the title could very well come down to a "playoff" game when Barcelona hosts Atletico Madrid on the final day of the season. Real Madrid is at home against Espanyol could very capitalize.

But that at the moment is all too far in the future. Right now, just savour one of the most exhilirating La Liga seasons in a long time.

Elsewhere, the battle between the rest of the best is as tight as ever. Athletic Bilbao appear to be the clear 4th best team in Spain although Villarreal and Real Sociedad are very much in the mix for Champions League football. The relegation battle should be pretty tight too - while Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano appear doomed, there are a host of other clubs including newly promoted Elche and Almeria who could find themselves back in Liga Adelante after just one season.

So raise your Sangria to the best football league in the world that isn't the Premier League!