The surprising leader at the top of LaLiga is Girona, who have lost only one game all season and are one point above Real Madrid, having played once more at the time of writing. Girona are also eight points above their Catalan rivals Barcelona in fourth. Who would have foreseen such an event at the beginning of the season?

The below visualisation shows each team’s position compared with their placement on the table around this time last season.

After 20 match weeks, Real Madrid retain the same position but have three more points than last year despite having played one less game. Athletic Club, who were eighth with 29 points, are now third in the table with 41 — so it’s fair to say Ernesto Valverde is doing an excellent job in his second season during his third spell at the Basque club.

Defending champions Barcelona are currently fourth, 12 points behind when compared with the same stage last season. They, however, like Real Madrid, have played one game fewer than last season. Rayo Vallecano, who had a strong start to the season last time around but finished 11th, are currently 11th in the table with 23 points in 19 games compared to 32 points in 20 games at the same stage last season. Atlético Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Real Betis have all not seen much change in their position.

Las Palmas seem to be enjoying the most success of the promoted teams, sitting ninth on 28 points. Alavés are currently 13th with 20 points, while Granada are in the relegation zone, five points adrift of safety.

Europa League champions Sevilla’s season is going marginally worse, with neither being an awe-inspiring campaign. They are currently in 17th position with 16 points compared to 16th last year with 21 points.

Villarreal’s difference between this season and last season seems to be the most eye-catching, but in the wrong way, as they are currently sitting four points above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Valencia have moved 11 positions in the right direction.