Two of our writers discuss the merits of the Premier League in comparison with other European leagues. Read what they say, then cast you vote.

Yes, says Neil Bonnar

THE Premier League couldn't be more aptly named. It is in a different league to the rest of the world for quality, history, interest and excitement.

Gary Megson said in this paper yesterday that the Premier League is streets ahead of any other league, and he's spot on.

Whether you're in Europe, Asia, Africa or Australia, if you talk football the Premiership will inevitably dominate the conversation.

Its income from home and overseas television rights dwarf every other league.

It has the most money so attracts the best players - not just to the top teams as in other countries, but right throughout the division.

And, while English clubs may have only won the European Cup twice in the last 22 years, that shouldn't distract from the extra quality the Premier League boasts over all others.

This week three of our clubs, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, have contested the semi-final of the Champions League for the second year running.

Along with Arsenal, they have formed the notorious Big Four for a decade or so.

No other league can boast such consistency among their elite teams.

In Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona challenge for the title every year, but no other team does. Sevilla have done well recently, but are only sixth this year, while the third best team in recent times, Valencia, are fifth bottom this year. Can you imagine Arsenal ever being that low?

Juventus, Inter and AC Milan are traditionally strong in Italy, but AC are not having the best of times this season, 23 points behind the leaders in fifth.

Would Manchester United, the team AC beat in last season's Champions League semi-final, ever slip so far behind in the title race?

While the top four's consistency makes the Premiership the best quality league in the world, it's unpredictability gives it an excitement that cannot be matched.

Manchester City doing the double over United this season, is the kind of thing that the Premier League throws up to give it an intrigue and romance which other leagues can only envy.

It's true that the quality disappears rapidly the lower down the division you go, but the passion doesn't change.

The relegation run-in is every bit as exciting as the battle for the title, usually more so, because the prospect of losing Premiership status is unbearable. The Premier League is often called the Promised Land because there is nothing else like it.

No, says Marc Iles

THERE is no doubt that the Premiership's Big Four could hold their own in any league on the planet, but could the same be said for the rest?

The bottomless pits of cash that are Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool can cherry pick players from anywhere they want, but we are deluding ourselves if we honestly believe that their stars come here for the challenge and passion of English football.

It's about cool, hard cash, pure and simple, and it just so happens that the easiest buck is currently to be made on these shores.

Gary Megson is obviously going to claim the Premier League to be the best in the world. Not only is he trying desperately to stay in it - but looking into the future with rose-tinted specs, he is hardly likely to attract a better calibre of player if he admits they would be better off plying their trade in Serie A or La Liga.

Our league, and that counts all 92 clubs, can definitely boast the best and most loyal fan base. But in terms of quality on the field you need only look at the lessons taught to Everton, Spurs or Blackburn in this season's UEFA Cup - a competition that really does offer a decent yardstick to the overall strength of a domestic league.

Across Europe, the rich are getting richer. The Champions League is nothing but a playboy's paradise, policed and populated by the elite.

The UEFA Cup lacks the glitter but is generally competed for by clubs trying desperately to break through the glass ceiling. And that is where the Premier League continually falls down.

Fiorentina, PSV and Larissa accounted for the three clubs supposedly out to rival our top four, while Wanderers' reserves bowed out against Sporting after defying the odds in Munch and Madrid.

In fact, aside from a star-studded Liverpool's triumph in 2001, you have to go all the way back to Tottenham in 1984 for the last English club to win the trophy.

Outside the top five in Serie A lie Sampdoria, Lazio, Napoli and Parma, while the likes of Valencia, Sevilla, Espanyol, Deportivo and Betis lie well off the pace in La Liga.

Would you really back any of our also-rans against that lot?

Millions do indeed watch the Premier League's every move but only when their own domestic product fails to match up. I wonder what the viewing figures are like in Italy and Spain compared to China, Australia and Japan?