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After a brief break to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities (with the exception of the Premier League), league football has returned to mainstream Europe.
We are at the midway point in the top leagues, and with the games coming thick and fast, a clear picture of which clubs would achieve their pre-season objectives has been formed, while those destined for underachievement have also been identified.
Unlike in knockout cup competitions where several factors including favourable draws can see an unfancied team go all the way, league football is significantly different and only the most consistent sides are rewarded at the end of the campaign.
With half of the campaign gone, some sides have shown a marked distinction from the rest of the pack and here, we shall be having a rundown of the five most consistent clubs in Europe's top five leagues based on their last 10 fixtures.
Note: Goals and results correct at the time of writing.
#5 PSG: French Ligue 1
Last 10 matches: DWWWWWWLWW - 25 points
The last decade was an immensely successful one for PSG, with the Paris side capitalizing on the investments made to consolidate their status as the premier club in the French league.
Although they are yet to translate their success to the continent, PSG have been emphatic domestically and have won six of the last seven league titles, including each of the last two.
This term has seen the capital club continue from where they left off and the difference in class between their squad and the rest of the league is evident as they currently hold a five-point advantage at the summit (with a game in hand).
PSG have won eight of their last ten Ligue 1 matches, drawing and losing one each, with 30 goals scored in this period and nine conceded.
#4 Juventus: Italian Serie A
Last 10 matches: WWWWLDWWWW - 25 points
Juventus are serial Italian champions, having won each of the last eight Scudetto's consecutively and they are on course for a record-extending ninth league triumph on the bounce.
They would, however, have their work cut out if they are to achieve this feat, as Inter Milan and Lazio look ready to push them all the way in what is looking likely to be one of the most enthralling Scudetto title races in history.
Despite Maurizio Sarri implementing a new playing pattern following his arrival, the Bianconeri have adapted well to his methods and have raced into a two-point gap at the summit of the Serie A table.
Juventus have accrued 25 points from their last ten matches in the league, winning eight and losing one, with 31 goals scored and 12 conceded, while star man Cristiano Ronaldo is getting into top form to lead the charge moving into the second half of the campaign.
#3 Marseille - French Ligue 1
Last 10 matches: WWDWWWWWWL - 25 points
PSG's superior players and quality is so glaring that dethroning them from the summit of the French league is virtually impossible.
However, Marseille are playing their part in ensuring we have something of a semblance of a title race in France and they would be on hand to take advantage of any unlikely slip-up by the defending champions.
Having started the campaign in poor form - winning just four of their opening ten matches - the nine-time Ligue 1 champions turned a corner following their 4-0 trouncing to PSG on matchday 11.
Marseille are yet to taste defeat since that embarrassing defeat, with their only dropped points coming in the 1-1 draw with Metz.
They have accrued a total of 25 points, scoring 18 goals and conceding 10 in their last 10 league matches.
Andres Villas-Boas has helped transform Marseille's fortunes since his appointment last summer, while Dimitri Payet and Darío Benedetto have led the charge on the field.
#2 Lazio: Italian Serie A
Last 10 games: WWWWWWWWWW - 30 points
Prior to the start of the season, many believed that it would be a two-horse race between Juventus and Inter Milan and while this has largely proven to be true, Lazio have slowly integrated themselves into the title discussions.
The campaign started ordinarily enough for the Biancocelesti, winning just two of their opening five fixtures but they turned a corner after clawing back from a three-goal first-half deficit to draw 3-3 with Atalanta in September.
Since then, Simone Inzaghi's men have won each of their last 10 Serie A games consecutively and even though they got eliminated from the Europa League group stage, they now find themselves just four points off the pace in the race for the Scudetto and also triumphed over Juventus in the Italian Super Cup.
This run has seen them set a new club record for most consecutive Serie A wins and their form has undoubtedly been down to the displays of the red-hot Ciro Immobile who has scored 20 goals and has five assists from just 18 league fixtures.
#1 Liverpool: English Premier League
Last 10 matches: WWWWWWWWWW - 30 points
When Jurgen Klopp was unveiled as Liverpool manager, the club were at their lowest point and amidst what seemed a hopeless situation, he promised to turn the supporters from doubters to believers.
It has taken over four years (just like he said) but it cannot be argued that fans of the club and even rival clubs have been turned into believers.
Having dragged Manchester City all the way in what turned out to be one of the most engaging title races in history last season, Liverpool consoled themselves with their Champions League triumph and this term, they have added the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet.
While their status as European and world champions might be a source of prestige, there is one trophy that the Reds seek more than others and they have endured a three-decade drought to be called league champions.
Barring a dramatic turn of events, their wait would end in May (likely much earlier), as Liverpool have been nothing short of brilliant in the ongoing campaign.
Despite numerous injury setbacks, the club have rallied, with Jurgen Klopp working wonders with what on paper is a slightly above average squad of players.
So far, Manchester United are the only club to have picked up points from the Merseysiders, while their tally of 61 points from 21 games is the best start to a campaign in the history of the top five leagues, while they also hold a 14-point advantage at the summit with a game in hand.
Liverpool have won their last 10 Premier League games consecutively, with 25 goals scored and just five conceded, while they have gone over a year without defeat in the English top-flight.
