By Tim Stannard (@stannardsports)

1) No time for rest for a bottoming out Barcelona

What Barcelona really need now after a frenetic few weeks is a chance to take a chill pill, throw out some scatter cushions, maybe go on a team trip to see the Jungle Book, remove all internet access from players’ houses and take stock of a sorry soccer situation that sees Barcelona’s previously plump cushion in La Liga being squished as if it was serving as a posterior-protector for Chris Christie. But that ain’t gonna happen lady, as a 1950’s gumshoe detective would say, as there is full round of La Liga on beIN SPORTS this week, and Barça are invited to the party.

The Barca supporter collective of the planet are still in a bit of a state of shock after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia, which was admittedly a little bit harsh on the Catalan club. Barcelona daily ‘Sport’ is looking forwards on Monday’s front cover yelling that the team have to “get up”, whilst ‘Mundo Deportivo’ is lamenting the missed chances from the night before – “So unfair!”

Barcelona’s next date with possible disaster is on Wednesday in a trip at Deportivo and the match will be live on beIN SPORTS Español from 1.55PM ET. And tune into Kay Murray and the Gang for Monday’s sizzling edition of the Locker Room at 10.30PM ET, which may have a thing or two to say about Barca’s current malaise. 

2) Tottenham with new chance to make football fans unhappy

One handy advantage of Barcelona’s lapse is that a huge chunk of attention has been taken away from a certain storyline in the Premier League regarding Leicester City, who squeezed out a draw against West Ham on Sunday in a game that had some curious refereeing, to say the least. The match also saw a red card for James Vardy, who may face a two-match suspension after comments made to the referee after being given his marching orders. A decision is expected Monday or Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have been given a small window of opportunity for Monday’s away day clash at Stoke City, that will not be easy at all. And it sounds like Mauricio Pochettino is wanting some love for his Spurs players who can close the gap to Leicester to five points with five games left. “If we won the championship, I think that every player would deserve a statue,” said the inspirational Argentinean, knowing that pretty much every supporter on the planet is going to be rooting for Stoke. Catch all the highlights on the XTRA tonight at 10PM ET and a breakdown of the EPL title race on the Locker Room at 10.30PM ET.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has warned incoming Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, that being the best coach on the planet cannot prepare him for life at Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian, one of the many to be burned by Roman Abramovich, says that "your coaching record does not count once you're there because you must win things straightaway.”

3) Roma boss denies fisticuffs with his footballers

Serie A delivered yet another dose of hot-to-trot storylines on a Monday, leading with Roma boss Luciano Spalletti, denying that there was a physical bust-up with some of his players after a 3-3 draw with Atalanta. Roma were holding a 2-0 lead in the clash which could have seen the third-placed team closing ground on Napoli, who lost to Inter. Spalletti is due to meet his Roma bosses on Monday for a bit of an explanation session on what or did not happen in the dressing room.

Bad news for the Italian national team and Juventus with Claudio Marchisio facing surgery for a ruptured cruciate ligament during Sunday’s win over Palermo. The injury will see the midfielder missing out on Euro 2016.

The transfer rumor of the day is a bit of a weak one, but it could see Carlos Bacca leaving Milan despite just one year at San Siro. Milan might be a victim of Bacca’s success with the forward having knocked in 15 league goals this season, including Sunday’s winner at Sampdoria.

4) Another job offer arrives for Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho now has two job offers. The first came all the way from Syria and was turned down politely. The second hails from Championship side Leeds United, led by the wacky Italian chairman, who suggests that the former Chelsea man would come to Elland Road to get the team back into the Premier League if he had any…er…stones. 

5) Oscar Pistorius back in court for sentencing dates

Six-time Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius has been given dates of when he will receive his sentence for a murder charge over the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp. The sentencing will take place between June 13 and June 17.

And professional club rugby is now a reality in the US of A, as the pro league got underway with two games over the weekend.