Friday 24 November 2017 12:13, UK
Following the penultimate round of Champions League group stage fixtures, the argument over Europe's best team rumbles on. Here, WhoScored.com look at the best-rated sides in the top five leagues this season, with a shock or two along the way…
The Serie A champions are yet to live up to the lofty expectations of their demanding fan base, but Juventus still sit just four points behind league leaders Napoli. They're able to move up a gear at the drop of a hat and have scored more goals (37) than any other Serie A team this season, that in turn the third best return in Europe. The Old Lady may not be at her best, but she's done enough to earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.03 this term.
Lyon have not let the distraction of Europa League football divert attention away from their domestic duties, with the Ligue 1 side suffering just the one league defeat this season. The sale of star striker Alexandre Lacazette didn't derail Les Gones either, with Bruno Genesio doing a fine job at Groupama Stadium to help return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.05.
Maurizio Sarri's Napoli side has earned numerous admirers across the Continent this season and for good reason. They're yet to lose a league game this term as they sit atop of Serie A after 13 matches, winning 11. Their fine form has yielded a WhoScored.com rating of 7.07, with their pass success rate (89.3%) the joint-second best in Europe's top five leagues as the Serie A leaders look to dominate opponents in pursuit of victory.
Jose Mourinho's side are second in England's top tier this term having started the campaign strongly. While they faltered in Switzerland in midweek, United remain defensively resolute having conceded just six goals in 12 league matches with their watertight backline the joint-second meanest in Europe.
Monaco crashed out of the Champions League in midweek, but they're making a hell of a stab at a successful title defence, with Leonardo Jardim's side still within touching distance of PSG at Ligue 1's summit. Their 35 league goals scored is one of the best in Europe's top five leagues, while their conversion rate (18.6%) also ranks highly.
A rejuvenated Valencia are making headway in La Liga this season, with Marcelino guiding Los Che to second in Spain's top tier, just four points behind Barcelona. As one of three teams yet to lose a La Liga match this term, Valencia have gained a WhoScored.com rating of 7.09 with their conversion rate (21.1%) the best in Europe's top five leagues this season to reinforce a statistically calculated strength of 'finishing scoring chances'.
Bayern Munich faltered in the early stages of the season, with their poor form culminating in Carlo Ancelotti's sacking. Jupp Heynckes has steadied the ship following his return and has guided FC Hollywood back to the top of the Bundesliga table. The German champions continue to dominate sides having mustered the fourth best pass success rate (88.1%) and the third best possession return (62.7%) in Europe's top five leagues.
Many tipped Barcelona to struggle in the wake of Neymar's sale and a lack of transfer activity, but Ernesto Valverde has overseen a fine start to the season for the Blaugrana. The Catalans have conceded the fewest goals (4) in Europe's top five leagues this term and are averaging more successful dribbles per game (16.2) than any other team on the Continent to gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.21.
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have dropped only two points this season, with his side now overwhelming favourites to lift the Premier League title next May. City are, as expected, top for possession (65.6%) and joint-second for pass success (89.3%) in Europe's top five leagues. They're not retaining the ball for the sake of it either, though, with 40 league goals the second best on the Continent.
Pipping City in the top goalscorers charts are Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who have 43 league goals to their name this season. A conversion rate of 18.8%, the fourth best in Europe, shows the Parisians are able to put opponents to the sword with ease. PSG's flying form in Ligue 1 has seen them gain a better WhoScored.com rating (7.25) than any other team on the Continent this season, with it feasible to suggest they are currently Europe's best team.
