Which teams are performing above expectations this season, and which teams are struggling?
One quarter of the season has passed in most European leagues and the time has come for teams to assess their performance so far and consider how they’ve done.
Most teams have performed as expected (obviously), but some have performed much better or worse than predicted.
Here are five of the best and worst surprise starts to the season in Europe.
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PLEASANTLY SURPRISED
Sevilla
Lead by Colombian goal-monster Carlos Bacca – who has seven in nine starts – Sevilla have surprised everyone and sit joint top of the league with FC Barcelona.
The Europa League holders looked in trouble against Villarreal in their last game, but fired in two late goals to win the match.
It’s unlikely they’ll be able to sustain this form all year, but the season already looks to be a success for the Andalusians.
Olympique Marseille
Marseille are top of Ligue 1, four point clear of second placed Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite some conflict between new manager Marcelo Bielsa and the club’s chairman, Andre-Pierre Gignac’s goals have lifted his team into a healthy lead.
Trouble may be on the horizon however, as l’OM have lost two on the bounce now and Bielsa teams notoriously start to fall apart as the season goes on.
AS Roma
Juventus racked up over 100 points last year and had the league sewn up long before Christmas. Rudi Garcia’s Roma team have changed all that this year, and they’re now level on points with the champions.
Mattia Destro is leading the line beautifully for the club from the capital and if they can hold on to him through January, they are in prime position to challenge for the title.
West Ham United
The Hammers are fourth in the table after their shocking victory over Manchester City, and show no signs of slowing down.
Sam Allardyce bought well in the summer, having realised that long ball works even better with fast players than it does with strong ones.
Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have been the attacking catalyst that the East Londoners have been searching for in the last few years.
Southampton
More people would have predicted Southampton to be in the relegation zone than the Champions League at this stage of the season, but they have confounded expectations and are in second place, two points clear of Man City in third. Their excellent signings and rock solid back four have given them a real shot at a Champions League place if they can keep up their good form.
MUST DO BETTER
FC Barcelona
It seems astonishing to say about a team which is top of the table and has only just conceded their first goals of the season, but Barcelona have disappointed considering their ridiculously high standards.
While a solid defence is a welcome addition to their talents, they have lost their two most important games of the season, first to PSG in the Champions League and then to Real Madrid last weekend.
Liverpool
The Reds’ astonishing season last term was a pleasant surprise, but it raised expectations massively this time around.
The loss of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge to injury left the club with a misfiring Mario Balotelli up front.
The signing of Dejan Lovren has done nothing to improve their shaky defence and the team have yet to adjust to suddenly having to play midweek every week. The season isn’t over for the Merseysiders yet, but time is running out to turn things round.
Borussia Dortmund
Everyone’s favourite underdogs have struggled since losing Robert Lewandowski. The injuries to Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan haven’t helped either, and the German club are languishing in 15th place.
With their wounded starters finally returning to action, Jurgen Klopp will hope for a run of form to boost them back up the table.
At least their Champions League form hasn’t suffered, and they comfortably saw off Arsenal 2-0 in September and sit atop Group D.
AS Monaco
It seems that Monaco have gone into a sulk after having James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao taken from them.
The team is 8th in Ligue 1, but has plenty of good young players, including Layvin Kurzawa, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Yannick-Ferreira Carrasco, so they’re unlikely to risk relegation again.
Napoli
Napoli have struggled to match last season’s performance, and Rafael Benitez could get the sack if their poor form continues.
José Callejon has carried the team with his seven goals, although thankfully Gonzalo Higuain, who didn’t have a league goal until last weekend, found his shooting boots and scored a hat-trick to save Rafa’s skin.