A new column is here! We begin to organize clubs of Europe's top 5 leagues into an order that reflects the up-to-the-minute hierarchy every Tuesday.
The rankings are a season-long measurement of clubs, tracking teams throughout 2017-18 and taking into account results from all competitions. Our rankings consider advanced stats, full-season play and recent performance with some gut feeling mixed in.
Sides that have lost the fewest games naturally rank higher—though the strength of opposition met in a loss is considered—and both UEFA Champions/Europa League form and presence are used as tiebreakers for those with similar records. Teams that gather big wins against strong opponents get a boost.
10. PSG
Paris Saint-Germain bounced back from their Champions League loss to Real Madrid by trouncing Ligue 1's bottom side Metz 5-0. They are now 14 points clear of second-placed Monaco.
9. Liverpool
Liverpool's draw against Porto at Anfield gave them a 5-0 aggregate win in their last-16 tie. It is the first time since 2009 the Reds have reached quarter-finals. In the Premier League, they were beaten by Manchester United & dropped to the third place.
8. Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham were knocked out of the Champions League after Juventus scored twice in three minutes to win the second leg of their last-16 clash 2-1 at Wembley and secure a 4-3 aggregate victory. Four days later, they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 4-1 in the Premier League, but Harry Kane suffered an ankle injury.
7. Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways in style after losing to Barca by easing past Lokomotiv Moscow & Celta Vigo both in 3-0 win. They reduce the gap to La Liga leaders to eight points.
6. Real Madrid
Real Madrid secured a 2-1 last-16 second-leg win over PSG to dump the Ligue 1 side out of the Champions League on Tuesday, winning 5-2 on aggregate. And in the weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo continued his fine form as his double gave Real Madrid a 2-1 victory at Eibar in La Liga. The result means Real maintain 15 points behind leaders Barcelona.
5. Manchester United
Marcus Rashford's first-half double inspired Manchester United to a crucial 2-1 victory over rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday. The win meant Mourinho's side narrowed the gap on runaway leaders Manchester City to 13 points - at least until City play at Stoke on Monday - but, more pertinently, they are now five points clear of the third-placed Merseysiders. They beat Crystal Palace 3-2 three days earlier.
4. Juventus
Juventus produced two goals inside three second-half minutes to decide the destiny of their last-16 tie. They beat Spurs 2-1 and then claimed the league win on Sunday. Juve now stand at the top of Serie A.
3. Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich thrashed Hamburg 6-0. Bayern have not lost since November, winning 16 of their last 17 games, and are now 20 points clear at the top of the table. They may win the league title next week.
2. Manchester City
Man City lost 2-1 to Basel in the second leg of Champions League quarter-finals. It ended a run of 12 successive UCL wins at the Etihad Stadium for City, although they will still be in next Friday's quarter-final draw thanks to the aggregate victory (5-2).
1. Barcelona
Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho scored as Barcelona warmed up for their Champions League last-16 meeting with Chelsea by dispatching La Liga strugglers Malaga 2-0 at La Rosaleda. Barca made it 35 La Liga games unbeaten on the Costa del Sol & maintain their lead at the top to 8 points.
Points for each team are based on All Football Power Rankings System. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section. See you next week!