Power Ranking the Top 25 European Clubs After Weekend of October 25-27
Welcome to the latest edition of our European club power rankings, where we order the top teams on the continent based on early-season form and squad strength.
A remarkable amount of "top" clubs struggled this week, with Liverpool, Barcelona, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and Roma among many to slip up. At this point, with their form taken into consideration, it's getting more and more difficult to ignore West Ham!
Disagree with our order? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Dropping Out
1 of 26
Dropping Out:
Tottenham Hotspur—A loss at home to lowly Newcastle United. Yucky stuff from Spurs.
Bordeaux—They had three matches without a win, two of said three lost.
Big Clubs Still Missing:
Manchester United—A draw against Chelsea is a big plus, but they're not ready for the top 25 yet.
Borussia Dortmund—Dropping like a stone in the Bundesliga means even their Champions League heroics should be ignored for now.
25. Lyon
2 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
As always, we go to B/R's Jonathan Johnson direct to get the Ligue 1 update:
"Lyon's 1-0 win over Olympique de Marseille has really spiced up the Ligue 1 title race. Not only does Yoann Gourcuff's solitary goal peg OM back at the top of the table; it also sees Lyon enter the title race.
"Hubert Fournier's men are in excellent form at the moment, unbeaten in seven and having won their last three in a row. With a run of relatively straightforward fixtures coming up ahead of the clash with bitter rivals AS Saint-Etienne at the end of November, Les Gones could be top of the pile come early December if their current form continues."
24. PSV Eindhoven
3 of 26
Last Week: 25
Differential: +1
PSV Eindhoven's hot start isn't fizzling out like it did last year, and with the defence a year older and a year wiser, it could be the year Ajax finally see their Eredivisie trophy-collection streak end.
A 5-1 victory away to FC Utrecht is something of a statement result—particularly given Ajax's current propensity to draw games away from home. If PSV keep rolling and keep Memphis Depay they're a serious contender.
23. Wolfsburg
4 of 26
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Four wins in four and five from the last six see Wolfsburg take Bordeaux's spot in our top 25. The German outfit are extracting great play from Ricardo Rodriguez and Kevin De Bruyne, bagging goals from all over the pitch and bringing through youth prospects too.
Their latest victory, a 3-0 drilling of Mainz, came off the back of winning 4-2 away to Krasnodar in Russia—a feat Everton weren't able to manage.
22. Borussia Monchengladbach
5 of 26
Last Week: 23
Differential: +1
Borussia Monchengladbach managed what very few teams will this season at the weekend: hold Bayern Munich scoreless and to a draw.
Lucien Favre's men are playing superbly and look a threat to second place in the Bundesliga this season. With Borussia Dortmund flailing and Bayer Leverkusen working out the kinks, their early form has made them a contender.
21. Southampton
6 of 26
Last Week: 22
Differential: +1
Southampton's epic beginning to the 2014-15 season continued this weekend, grinding out a 1-0 win over Stoke City. They were much the better side early on, hitting the woodwork three times and only finding one goal, then showed great defensive resilience late in the day to seal the points.
Ronald Koeman's magic touch is a thing to behold right now, but we're still struggling to work out exactly how good this side is.
20. Liverpool
7 of 26
Last Week: 15
Differential: -5
Liverpool were taught a lesson at Anfield against Real Madrid last week, and the comparisons between Mario Balotelli and Cristiano Ronaldo were simply too difficult to stomach for Reds fans.
It only got a little better at the weekend, drawing 0-0 at home to Hull City, and despite keeping a rare clean sheet, the focus will fall on the misfiring attack. Brendan Rodgers is not at his best right now, and it's showing.
19. Benfica
8 of 26
Last Week: 12
Differential: -7
Benfica drop pretty sharply in the rankings after a very poor week, drawing to Monaco when they really needed to win and losing to Braga in the Liga Sagres.
The domestic loss was the first of its kind this season, and despite taking the lead in the second minute through Anderson Talisca, the team disappeared in the second half and fell behind.
18. Valencia
9 of 26
Last Week: 18
Differential: -
Valencia beat Elche in comfortable fashion this weekend, with Dani Parejo stealing the show in a delightful, creative performance.
With no UEFA Champions League or Europa League to worry about they're in fine shape every week to take on the next contender, and that could be an X-factor when it comes to differentiating between them and Sevilla.
17. Napoli
10 of 26
Last Week: 19
Differential: +2
Napoli are bang in form in Serie A again, unbeaten in four and recently beating Hellas Verona by a whopping 6-2 scoreline. Gonzalo Higuain bagged a hat-trick as his resurgence continues, and the wingers wreaked havoc either side of Marek Hamsik again.
The 2-0 loss to Young Boys, though, is a concern. The Europa League will be seen as a nuisance to Rafa Benitez, but the Partenopei could do with winning it given the increased domestic competition for a Champions League berth.
16. Bayer Leverkusen
11 of 26
Last Week: 21
Differential: +5
It was not a happy reunion for Sidney Sam this week, as Schalke were beaten 1-0 by Bayer Leverkusen in the battle of current and former clubs.
Add in Bayer's strong 2-0 victory over Zenit St. Petersburg last week, and it makes it a spectacular slate for Roger Schmidt. And if his defence can continue to improve they'll be a real force, no doubt.
15. Milan
12 of 26
Last Week: 16
Differential: +1
As ever in Milan, there's a debate swirling and an ominous look about the club. This week it's regarding Fernando Torres and, frankly, whether he'll ever get going in a Rossoneri shirt.
Filippo Inzaghi's men did well to grab a draw at Fiorentina this weekend, but it halted their win streak. They'll be eager to get back on track against Cagliari but must overcome Zdenek Zeman in order to do so.
14. Marseille
13 of 26
Last Week: 13
Differential: -1
As always, we go to B/R's Jonathan Johnson direct to get the Ligue 1 update:
"After an amazing run of eight consecutive victories, Marseille and Marcelo Bielsa's impressive form is over. OM were beaten 1-0 by Lyon at the Stade Gerland last Sunday and have seen their lead at the top of Ligue 1 cut from seven to just four points.
"Les Phoceens now need to make sure that they do not allow that gap to shrink even further before they travel to face bitter rivals PSG in two weeks' time. Bielsa has done an excellent job so far, but his team picked up some key suspensions in the Lyon game that will make their trip to Paris even more challenging."
13. Zenit St. Petersburg
14 of 26
Last Week: 11
Differential: -2
Zenit St. Petersburg snapped out of a trance this weekend, beating poor, lowly Mordovia Saransk 5-0 at home to reinstate winning form.
The problem lies in the midweek UEFA Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen, which leaves them lying third in an exceptionally tough, well-matched Group C.
Andre Villas-Boas is expected to win in the Russian Premier League; it's in Europe he'll be tested and therefore judged.
12. FC Porto
15 of 26
Last Week: 17
Differential: +5
FC Porto closed the gap at the top of Liga Sagres to one point this weekend, beating Arouca 5-0 as Benfica fell to Braga.
Jackson Martinez grabbed a brace, and Vincent Aboubakar continued to make the most of his opportunities. And in midweek they beat Athletic Bilbao to collect another three points in the UEFA Champions League.
The Dragoes are trending the right way.
11. Arsenal
16 of 26
Last Week: 15
Differential: +4
Did Arsenal impress in the way they beat Anderlecht midweek? No, but right now the result is all that counts if you ask Arsene Wenger.
To not qualify from a UEFA Champions League group containing a poor Galatasaray side and an even worse Anderlecht would be a travesty, but that was a reality set to be faced until a late rescue operation from Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs saved the day.
The Gunners beat a beleaguered Sunderland side bereft of confidence at the weekend.
10. Roma
17 of 26
Last Week: 6
Differential: -4
Last week we made the decision to move Roma ahead of Juventus in the power rankings for the first time this season. Shame on us.
The Giallorossi responded with a 7-1 battering at the hands of Bayern Munich, and while the German outfit did indeed play very well, the Italians themselves were absolutely atrocious.
They followed that up with a 0-0 draw at Sampdoria, capping a very disappointing week.
9. Sevilla
18 of 26
Last Week: 10
Differential: +1
One thing to watch here is Sevilla's stamina. They don't have the biggest squad, and playing in the UEFA Europa League is sure to affect their condition at some point.
Right now, though, they're ticking along beautifully, with Carlos Bacca netting again in a 2-0 victory over Villarreal this weekend and the defence keeping a clean sheet in Liege midweek.
8. Juventus
19 of 26
Last Week: 8
Differential: -
Juventus' 2-0 win over Palermo this weekend erased some of the fury surrounding the midweek loss to Olympiakos in the UEFA Champions League. Arturo Vidal getting on the scoresheet is a strong sign after the recent disciplinary issues forwarded by The Daily Mail.
That said, and no matter how many Serie A wins are gained, doubts remain over the Bianconeri's ability to challenge in Europe, with the three-man defence formation of chief discussion when it comes to reasons why.
7. Manchester City
20 of 26
Last Week: 5
Differential: -2
Redefining the very meaning of "tough week" is Manchester City, who undid all their strong work in the last few weeks by screwing up two very winnable fixtures in the form of CSKA Moscow and West Ham United.
First, a two-goal lead was blown in Russia in spite of the fact the Citizens could have been 5-0 up by the 70-minute mark. Next, a 2-1 loss to West Ham United ensured they fell further behind Chelsea in the Premier League title race.
6. Atletico Madrid
21 of 26
Last Week: 8
Differential: +2
Atletico Madrid might just be returning to their usual ways, with three clean sheets obtained in a row and some difficult fixtures negotiated with a professional, ruthless outlook.
Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal in a mildly interesting game against Getafe this week, and the 5-0 destruction of Malmo midweek saw an artful display by Koke crush the Swedish minnows.
5. Paris Saint-Germain
22 of 26
Last Week: 7
Differential: +2
As always, we go privately to Jonathan Johnson for the Ligue 1 lowdown:
"With 'Le Classique' rapidly approaching, the French champions are finding form at the right time. A 3-0 win over Bordeaux in Ligue 1 last weekend was their third consecutive win in all competitions, for the first time this season, after a 1-0 win at APOEL FC in the UEFA Champions League last Tuesday.
"Laurent Blanc's men travel to FC Lorient this weekend before APOEL and Marseille pay them a visit in Paris. Now that it has been cut, the capital club will not want to allow OM to stretch their current lead of four points before they meet."
4. Barcelona
23 of 26
Last Week: 3
Differential: -1
Barcelona taught Ajax a lesson midweek, and as two pure footballing schools collided, the clearly superior, modern-age producer won out on the evening.
The result was wrapped up early, and both Lionel Messi and Neymar were able to earn an early rest. It was the perfect preparation for the looming Clasico against Real Madrid.
Unfortunately, la Blaugrana were beaten in a frenetic battle at the Bernabeu. They slip below their rivals in the rankings as a result.
3. Chelsea
24 of 26
Last Week: 2
Differential: -1
Chelsea dished out a severe beating against Maribor midweek in the UEFA Champions League, but their domestic win streak was halted in crushing fashion.
A 0-0 Premier League draw with Manchester United—albeit solely due to a late, late, late Robin van Persie equaliser—halts their stride a little, though they were without Diego Costa up top.
Other results around the Blues see them fall.
2. Real Madrid
25 of 26
Last Week: 4
Differential: +2
What a week for Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid!
After defeating Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield, overpowering Brendan Rodgers' men with sheer force and incisiveness, los Blancos emerged victorious in the Clasico too, beating Barcelona 3-1.
Luis Suarez's return wasn't enough to stop Carlo Ancelotti's men from steamrolling la Blaugrana on the counterattack, and what a sight it was.
1. Bayern Munich
26 of 26
Last Week: 1
Differential: -
Bayern Munich drew 0-0 with Borussia Monchengladbach this weekend, but they remain top thanks to the epic midweek performance they put in against Roma.
To win 7-1 or by six goals in the UEFA Champions League is some achievement, but to do it against a stubborn, tactically drilled and defensively conscious Giallorossi side is something else entirely.
Despite Real Madrid's Clasico win piling on the pressure, Pep Guardiola's men retain their spot!
Thanks to those who read my work and voted for me; I made the finalists list of the 2014 Footballing Blogging Awards. If you have a spare moment and the inclination to vote, I ask you to do so again in the final round.
You can vote by simply clicking here: http://bit.ly/1yyx7Om.
