'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Spanish LaLiga has completed 19 rounds of fixtures, and we've started to get a picture of how everything's turning out in the 2019-20 season.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are going head-to-head for the title again, but Atletico Madrid and Sevilla have remained hot on the big two's coattails with a strong run of their own. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, have thrown up a real surprise by springing up in European places.
That said, there are no stunners in the scoring charts. Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez are the three most prolific so far, albeit the latter faces four months on the sidelines after sustaining an injury in the Supercup.
The average number of goals so far suggest there's going to be more goals in LaLiga this season than the last. But at the same, we witnessed the first goal-less El Clasico in 17 years.
It has been nothing short of a roller-coaster. And as we head into the second-half of the campaign, let's look at the best XI of the season so far.
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
The likes of Ederson and Alisson Becker might rule the roost in the goalkeeping department right now, but Jan Oblak has consistently been playing at that level for several years now.
The outrageously underrated Slovenian has picked up the best goalkeeper prize for years in LaLiga, and is in line for another silverware this season. His tally of nine clean sheets is the highest in the division, and he has let in only 12 goals - the fewest.
Oblak's importance to Atletico can be ascertained from the fact that he's played every single minute of the campaign so far, producing several incredible performances along the way. And the best part is that he's still only 27, with several more years at the top.
Right-back: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid's results have considerably improved this season, and so have the performances of several key players of the squad - particularly Dani Carvajal. The Spaniard has put aside the disappointments of last year's disastrous campaign by hitting his stride again.
He's once again bombing up and down the right flank with fabulous verve and vision, linking up effectively with the forward line and creating more chances than ever. Carvajal's tally of four assists is also the highest for a defender, behind only Victor Diaz of Granada.
Centre-back: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
The Frenchman has always found himself on the cusp of breaking into the elite group world's best defenders, and it looks like he's finally making the leap this season. Raphael Varane compliments Sergio Ramos' gung-ho approach with a rather composed and assured style, while his aerial strength is second to none - he averages 3.1 aerial duel wins each game, and has also weighed in with three goals.
Centre-back: Inigo Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)
Inigo Martinez's hard-working and no-nonsense approach perfectly encapsulates the club's principles. The former Real Sociedad defender has been on the block for several years now, but has been making a real statement this season.
He has a great sense of positional awareness, while his ability to sniff out danger is envious - he averages 4.2 clearances per game! Martinez has also partnered with Yerey Alvarez incredibly well, leaving no holes at the back to plug.
He has had a key role to play in Bilbao's nine clean sheets so far this season.
Left-back: Sergio Reguilon (Sevilla)
Real Madrid's train-wreck of 2018-19 season had very few bright spots besides Karim Benzema, and one of them was Sergio Reguilon.
The 22-year old burst onto the scene midway through the campaign and impressed enough to keep Marcelo on the bench. This term, he's on loan at Sevilla and pulling up trees.
Reguilon is already a trusted member in Julen Lopetegui's side, having started all but two games. He offers so much pace and directness down the right flank that he's already touted to be the heir apparent to the Brazilian.
Defensive midfielder: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
The Brazilian witnessed a slump in form last season like most others around him, but has conjured his ferocious self again this term. His average tackles have gone up from 3 last season to 3.8, interceptions from 1.4 to 2.1, and passes from 55.8 to 59.1.
Casemiro's aggression and doggedness have provided an unflinching cover to the back four as well as a solid base for Los Blancos to launch an attack from.
Right winger: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Ernesto Valverde might be gone, but his era was defined by one and only one man - Lionel Messi. The Blaugrana ace has literally carried his side through thick and thin in the last two years, and he's leading the charge once again this time.
Messi unsurprisingly sits atop the scoring charts of the league with 13 goals, despite missing the first four weeks of the campaign with a foot injury. And now with Suarez out of action for a long time, Messi is left to do it all by himself.
But are there any doubts that he'll pull it off as always?
Attacking midfielder: Martin Odegaard (Real Sociedad)
Another promising young gun rising up the ranks, Odegaard is having a fine season with Real Sociedad. It might have taken some time, but the Norwegian is finally showing the qualities that convinced Real Madrid to sign him in 2015 when he was only 16 years old.
Odegaard has contributed to four goals and five assists, but there's more to his game than just that. Odegaard's willingness to press and his ball-playing abilities have drawn parallels with Blancos great Luka Modric, someone's he's touted to replace in the future.
Left winger: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
Real Sociedad are pushing for Champions League places this season, and the key to that has been the dynamic Mikel Oyarzabal. Still only 22, the Spanish youngster has once again emerged to be his side's finest performer with his energy and creativity down the left flank.
He's also scored seven times so far, whilst adding another five assists to his name for good measure.
Striker: Luis Suarez (FC Barcelona)
Luis Suarez seemed to be running out of ammunition after an erratic season last time out, but has managed to find more consistency this season. With 11 goals in 17 appearances so far, he's struck just as many times as he did last year and from an identical number of games played - just that Suarez has scored them more evenly this time.
His crazy back-heel swerve versus Mallorca shows he's got his confidence and sharpness back. It's unfortunate that the Uruguayan hitman has been ruled out for four months after sustaining a knee injury during the Supercup clash with Atletico Madrid.
Striker: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Touted to be 'finished' and 'beyond his best', Karim Benzema silenced his critics by banging in 30 goals last season. He was undoubtedly the best player for Real Madrid, stepping up to cement the void left by Juventus-bound Cristiano Ronaldo.
Now in the 2019-20 season, he's continued from where he left off with another 11 goals thus far.
