Now that club play has halted for another round of international fixtures, it is time for a new edition of the power rankings. You can find the previous edition here.
The rankings are based on a combination of league performance (relative to overall strength of the league), European performance (Champions and Europa League), and my own personal bias and subjectivity. If you disagree with anything, feel costless to explain why in the comments below.
Atlético Madrid and Arsenal replaced the teams they beat, Real Madrid and Napoli, in the top 5. Undefeated Roma made the biggest jump, up to number 9. Here are the full rankings:
1. FC Barcelona (unchanged)
Won in both the Champions League and La Liga without Lionel Messi. Aside from two draws with Atlético Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa, Barça have won every game this season.
2. Bayern Munich (unchanged)
Looking like a Pep Guardiola team with their complete dominance of the ball. Embarrassed Manchester City last week and were superior to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, but could only come away with a draw.
3. Atlético Madrid (up 3)
A complete team that roughs you up and kills your spirit. Eviscerated any lingering inferiority complex by beating Real Madrid in the Bernabéu.
4. Arsenal (up 6)
Surged to the top of the Group of Death with a dominant performance against Napoli. Slipped up at West Brom at the weekend but still top the BPL table.
5. Borussia Dortmund (down 1)
Regained their Champions League form with a 3-0 win over Marseille, but lost their Bundesliga lead after falling 2-0 to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
6. Real Madrid (down 3)
Cruising in the Champions League but still showing very poor La Liga form. Carlo Ancelotti must figure out the appropriate tactics for his squad.
7. Napoli (down 2)
Rebounded from a tough defeat to Arsenal by romping to a 4-0 win over Livorno.
8. AS Roma (up 9)
A huge statement win over Inter kept Roma perfect in Serie A.
9. FC Porto (down 1)
Shocked by Atleti after dominating the ball at home in their last Champions League encounter. Porto still are unbeaten and in first place in the Portuguese League table.
10. Juventus (down 3)
Held on to beat a struggling Milan but could only manage a draw at home to Galatasaray in the Champions League. Juve are having trouble finding top form.
11. Paris Saint-Germain (up 1)
A Zlatan Ibrahimović double helped PSG crush Benfica and go top of their group in Champions League. Still battling Monaco for the Ligue 1 lead.
12. Shakhtar Donetsk (down 3)
Shakhtar were the better team against Manchester United but still may have been fortunate to come away with a draw. The upcoming home and home with Leverkusen will give a better read on the quality of this team.
13. Chelsea (up 3)
Chelsea finding their form has coincided with an increased role for Juan Mata. If Mourinho can keep his team united, the Blues will be dangerous as the season progresses.
14. Bayer Leverkusen (previously unranked)
A magnificent week for Leverkusen; first they pulled out a needed win over Real Sociedad in Europe, then held on for a vital point against Bayern Munich.
15. Liverpool (down 4)
Suárez and Sturridge will give hell to opposing Premier League defenses all year. No one expected Liverpool to be where they are after 7 games: joint leaders in the BPL table.
16. Manchester City (down 1)
City were given a masterclass in their own stadium by Bayern Munich. Pellegrini’s tactical acumen mattered little against the power and precision of the German side.
17. AS Monaco (down 3)
Haven’t done anything themselves to fall in the rankings, but Monaco aren’t in Europe and Ligue 1 looks worse by the week.
18. Schalke 04 (up 2)
Two wins out of two in the Champions League and moving up the Bundesliga table.
19. Manchester United (down 6)
Moyes may be figuring his team out, although it’s been anything but easy. Earned a respectable point at Shakhtar in midweek, and Januzaj came to the rescue against Sunderland on Saturday.
20. Tottenham (previously unranked)
Following the tough loss in the north London derby, Tottenham were cruising in the league and Europe - until a terrible 3-0 defeat to West Ham threw them off course.
The rest: Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Villarreal, Benfica, Sporting CP, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Ajax, Zenit St Petersburg, CSKA Moscow, Galatasaray
