2018/19 season: 6 incredible stats from Europe's top five leagues so far
European football games come so thick and fast, it's already half-way through the 2018/19 season. The top five leagues - EPL, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 - have already played over a half of their domestic games as the finish line edges closer. However, even then, we've already witnessed some really startling events transpire over the course.
Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool are on a brilliant run. And as things stand, they would be scripting history in May. Cristiano Ronaldo has successfully shrugged off his early season woes to acclimatize to new surroundings in the Serie A. He's now a hot favorite for the Capocannoniere prize. Barcelona are sailing towards another La Liga title whereas Kylian Mbappe hasn't looked back after taking the 2018 World Cup by storm.
Believe me, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are the seven other and more important statistics from Europe's top five leagues so far.
#6 Villarreal are mired in relegation storm
Since gaining promotion in 2013/14, the Yellow Submarine hadn't finished below top six in five seasons until now. But such dramatic has been the decline in the current term, that the Valencia-based outfit is now all the way down in the relegation mix.
Nineteenth in the standings with only three victories and 18 points after 21 games, there are premonitions that the club's time in the top tier is indeed coming to an end. Their last victory in the league came over two months ago and even though have strangely conceded only five goals more than a third-placed Real Madrid, have struggled to score themselves.
The frontline of Carlos Bacca, Gerard Moreno and summer arrival Toko Ekambi have accounted for only 10 goals between themselves, although they've fared admittedly better in other competitions. Luis Garcia replaced Javier Calleja almost seven weeks ago, but there's hardly been a difference. Villarreal have picked up only four points in eight games under him and looks like he's on his way out too, very soon.
Yet, quite surprisingly, they are through to the round of 32 of the Europa League without losing a single game!