In terms of the money league, there are few clubs in the world capable of coping with Manchester City, particularly both Wigan and Burnley who meet at the weekend.
City are flying high in the Premier league and have certainly splashed the cash this season, so much so, their first eleven is virtually unrecognisable from that which finished with mid table obscurity last season.
Funny though that many a Latics supporter would rather face City at home than face the trip to Turf Moor where the Claret's of Owen Coyle are formidable, even Sir Alex Ferguson would agree on that front.
Manchester United, Everton, Sunderland and Birmingham City have all been defeated at Turf Moor this season and Burnley have a 100% record this far at their home ground. It may not be a palace, but Turf Moor, with its wooden seats for away fans, is not an easy place to visit.
A smarting defeat to fierce rivals Blackburn Rovers will not have helped matters as the Dingles will be more than fired up for this weekend's clash with Bob's men.
Glen Little is no longer the only attacking hope for Burnley, and the days of an undue reliance on Andy Payton's goals are no more. Owen Coyle is now the man behind the present success over in Dingle Town.
One time Latics target Robbie Blake is the main goal threat, whilst 'the beast' Brian Jensen will keep goal. Other names of note are former Preston North End right back, Graham Alexander, who has been converted into a 40 year old anchor man, whilst another former Latics target, David Nugent is likely to play up top. He's presently on loan from Portsmouth.
Wade Elliot and Chris Eagles are the talented midfielders likely to pull the attacking strings, and former Reading defender, Andre Bikey is the wall in front of the beast at the back.
In terms of the Latics, both goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, and newly discovered attacking midfielder, Paul Scharner are said to be doubts for the game and the steady first eleven of the past three fixtures could be disrupted.
Mike Pollitt would be the likely beneficiary of Kirkland's injury, whilst debate regarding Jordi Gomez as Scharner's understudy is seemingly hotter than that surrounding Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time.
Paul Scharner: Injury doubt for the trip to Turf Moor
On the one hand there are the supporters who believe that he should be given a further chance to prove himself, whilst on the other hand, there are the supporters who think he is just not good enough and doesn't warrant a first team birth. The latter currently outnumber the former by around ten to one.
Other options included either of Scott Sinclair and Olivier Kapo, and here is where the debate increases in temperature further still. Scott Sinclair would be the favourite, but the big question is whether the aerial presence of Scharner would be missed too much.
Sinclair has undoubtedly shown real promise during his spell with the club and deserves much more game time that his cameo appearances to date have allowed. His goal against Hull and performance at Blackpool in the Carling Cup were impressive to say the least. His main problem is that when you look on either flank, both Hugo Rodallega and Charlez N'Zogbia have been two of the better players this season.
The other option for the Chelsea loanee would be to plough through the centre and play up top alongside Jason Scotland in a 4-4-2 formation. This is certainly worth considering as Sinclair's pace would offer a real threat up top, particularly aligned with Zog and Rodallega on the flanks. I'm sure messrs Hendry Thomas and Mo Diame could cope in the centre of the park.
And finally, back to Kapo. The French international and former Juventus player has had a torrid time with the Latics and has shown even less promise than Jordi Gomez on his trip to the seaside in the cup earlier this season.
However, he must surely be worth another go as his style of play may well 'fit' with that of Martinez and his more fluent approach to football. Whether Kapo warrants a first team birth ahead of the promising Sinclair is another question, but he would certainly fit into the Scharner role a great deal easier.
These are the decisions that can etch out the difference between a European chase and a relegation dog fight and even so much as a point from Turf Moor could be viewed as a good result. It's time for Martinez to earn his money and turn his back on Gomez, this is of course if Scharner is unfit to take part.
Prediction: Burnley 2 - 2 Wigan
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