FC Barcelona is in second spot, nine points behind the leader Real Madrid. However, the side is actually doing better than it was at this stage last time round.

With 44 points from 21 matches, Barça has one more than the 43 it had amassed after the same number of games in 2006-07.

That means that the nine-point difference with the leader is down to the good results achieved by Real Madrid this season. In fact, Bernd Schuster’s side has the highest points total ever achieved since the League changed over to three points for a win.

Better goal difference as well

In addition to having more points, Barça also has a better goal difference so far this season. Even though the team has netted three times fewer than last time round (2006/07: 43; 2007/08: 40), the defence is better and is conceding fewer goals.

At present Barça have only let in 14 and have the best defensive record in the League. Last year after 21 games they had already conceded 18. That means that the team’s goal difference is now one better than at the same stage in 2006/07.

Solid leader

This improvement, however, has coincided with Real Madrid’s run of form. Madrid has 15 points more than it did a year ago, the side hasn’t dropped a single point at home and it is also on a run of 8 consecutive victories (24 points) after Sunday’s triumph over Villarreal (3-2).

53 points

Real Madrid’s performances have broken one record, as Bernd Schuster’s side has got the highest number of points at this stage of the season since the League switched over to three points for a win. Its total of 53 is one more than the previous record set by Barcelona in the 2005/06 season after 21 matches.