Top 10 Team Power Rankings (Week 2/2/18)

The Top 10 is continually in flux, with clubs around the world always increasing and dropping in form. For the past week many big name clubs lost in seemingly straight forward winnable games while other big teams continued to do what they do best, by dismantling a potential title/champions league qualification rival.

Here is this weeks top 10 as it stands:

1. FC BARCELONA (no change) - Two victories within the one week against Alaves (2-1) in the league and closest La Liga title competition Valencia (1-0) in the Copa Del Rey. Both games saw dominant Catalonia performances, where 73% and 78% possession was the norm.

2. MANCHESTER CITY (no change) - Similar to Barcelona, City won two games in the past week in the FA Cup against Cardiff (2-0) and in the league over West Brom (3-0). The consecutive clean-sheets got City back on track after having conceded in the 6 games prior.

3. BAYERN MUNICH (no change) - Just the one win in the week, a big one over Hoffenheim 5-2, where Munich were very creative in attack, producing 23 shots, 59% possession and completely 16 successful take-ons. This gives Bayern 9 wins on the bounce.

4. PSG (no change) - Despite Neymar's antics, the Paris based side remains in the top 4 of the rankings after continuing to win and showing how much better they are than their french competition. A 4-0 victory over Montpellier and a 3-2 win over Rennes in the past 7 days was just usual business.

5. JUVENTUS (no change) - 2 victories and 2 clean-sheets is a nice week for the Turin based Italians. Both Chievo and Atalanta felt the class of Juventus, as either side provided a different challenge but both were dealt similar results. Juventus have now only conceded 1 goal in their last 13 games (3-1 win over Verona) and are currently on a 5 game consecutive clean-sheet run. 

6. NAPOLI (+2) - A clinical win during the week against Bologna, where Dries Mertens was simply superb once again, scoring twice to secure the 3-1 win. After initially falling behind in the 1st minute, Napoli ran rough-shot then after, completing 90% of passes, holding 62% possession and were effective in counter attacking when no in possession.

7. FC PORTO (-1) - Not much to say about the Portuguese club, who slipped up in league competition in a 0-0 draw with Moreirense, allowing them to be usurped to 1st place in the league table by Sporting CP.

8. BAYER LEVERKUSEN (new) - Having been in a decent run of form recently, Leverkusen dispatched Mainz 2-0 in league competition this past week in dominant fashion. Registering 70% possession and 12 shots at goal, Leverkusen also saw a lot of success at creating scoring opportunities through individual skill from the likes of Lucas Alario and Leon Bailey. Defence also restricted the opposition to only 2 shots all game and 69% pass accuracy. 

9. TOTTENHAM (new) - Despite a 1-1 draw to Newport in the FA Cup during the week, Spurs still get into the top 10 due to a superior display in league competition over last weeks number 7 ranked team Manchester United, winning 2-0 even with a poor display from talisman Harry Kane. Spurs dominated United in almost every statistic throughout the game - Shots, shots on target, pass accuracy, possession, successful take-ons and tackles. With the top sides struggling in the Premier league, the victory by Tottenham re-elevates them into potential Champions league qualification.

10. REAL MADRID (new) - Madrid sneak back into the top 10 after an absence for sometime. The past weeks 4-1 away win over high flying Valencia proved that Los Blancos aren't done yet. Although the league title is seemingly way out of reach, form will be key for them to push for a three-peat in the Champions league. Madrid were effective at stealing the ball quickly from Valencia an giving Ronaldo more opportunities run at the back-line and score. Ronaldo finished the game with 2 goals from 7 shots.

OUTS - Manchester United, Sevilla, Lyon


By Luke Scali - Twitter WFC_LS_Potzi