The worst teams in Europe's top 5 leagues so far this season
By Max Parsons
What's worse than seeing your team lose? Seeing them lose game after game...after game.
It's been a thoroughly bizarre season thus far, and while all credit must go to the clubs maintaining incredibly impressive title charges in their respective leagues, we thought we'd bring you a celebration of the sides scrapping away at the bottom - the designated 'basement boys' of European football.
Plus, there's not much more to be said about Manchester City anyway, so let's take a look at the worst teams in Europe's top five leagues so far.
20. Nimes - Ligue 1
The best of the worst.
While the sun usually shines bright in the south of France, it has evidently evaded the town of Nimes. The side have lost 16 of the 27 games they have played so far, leaving them 18th in Ligue 1.
Although, they have picked up form recently, winning three and drawing one of their last four - taking four points off relegation rivals in recent weeks.
19. Koln - Bundesliga
One of five German teams in this dreaded list, Koln have been in dire form since the start of the season.
With a points per game record of just 0.91 so far, the Bundesliga strugglers have lost their last three, most recently suffering a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich.
18. Nantes - Ligue 1
12 losses in 27 matches so far leave Nantes looking a good bet for relegation.
Despite not losing in their last three, a points per game ratio of 0.89 doesn't make for good reading - especially not with a trip to Paris Saint-Germain coming up at the weekend.
17. Fulham - Premier League
Despite performing well recently, Scott Parker's men still lurk in the Premier League relegation zone with a points per game ratio of 0.88.
No defeats in their last five outings, however, has raised hopes among Fulham fans. Consistency is key, though.
16. Eibar - La Liga
With nearly an identical record to Fulham, Eibar have not registered a victory since 3 January and sit in precarious danger.
Being one the teams in worst form in La Liga currently, the Basque side are in real danger of falling out of the top tier for the first time in six years.
15. Real Valladolid - La Liga
Sitting below Eibar only on goal difference, Real Valladolid have also not won since early January.
La Pucela are owned by Brazilian legend Ronaldo who, no doubt, will want his club to extend their two year stay in Spain's top flight.
14. Alaves - La Liga
Another contender for relegation in La Liga is Alaves.
The Basque club have lost their last three with an aggregate score of 1-10, keeping them just inside the drop zone on 22 points after 27 games.
13. Elche - La Liga
Rounding off the La Liga sides who have a points per game ratio of 0.88, are Elche.
The side sit 19th in the table on 21 points, but have a game in hand on the clubs around them and could jump up to 16th with a win - if they win.
12. Torino - Serie A
The first Italian entry is Torino, who currently occupy 17th position in Serie A after winning just three of their 23 matches thus far.
The problem for Il Toro seems to be converting draws into wins. They've lost just once in their past 11 league matches, drawing a whopping eight of them.
11. Arminia Bielefeld - Bundesliga
These guys have spirit - there's no doubt about it. Holding Bayern to a 3-3 draw at the Allianz Arena showcased that.
However, 3-0 losses in each of the two subsequent matches leave Bielefeld in the relegation play off place with 0.82 points per game on their return to the big time.
10. Huesca - La Liga
Rounding off what is a very tight relegation battle in La Liga are Huesca.
The Spanish side sit rock bottom of the league and yet, with a win, could potentially jump up to 16th place. It's all to play for in Spain but, with a points per game ratio of 0.8, it doesn't look great for Huesca.
9. Hertha Berlin - Bundesliga
14 defeats in 23 games have contributed to Hertha's 0.78 points per game so far this season.
Rather surprisingly, the club from the capital are struggling heavily and are in real danger of exiting the top tier, mainly due to a very leaky defence that has let 42 goals in to this point.
8. Cagliari - Serie A
Despite boasting the top scorer out of these 20 struggling clubs, Joao Pedro's impressive 12 goals haven't saved Cagliari from currently sitting 18th in the table.
With 0.75 points per game this campaign and nine losses in their last 11, it looks a long road to safety.
7. Mainz - Bundesliga
After two wins in their last four, Mainz are just one point adrift of safety.
Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel's old club, however, will need consistently pick up wins to stay up, having lost 14 of their 23 games thus far.
6. West Brom - Premier League
It looks a nearly impossible task for Big Sam to keep this side up now.
Despite somehow bagging their first win in eight against Brighton last time out, the Baggies have a points per game ratio of just 0.65 and are comfortably the league's worst defence with 55 conceded - woeful.
5. Parma - Serie A
The famous club have Serie A's worst attack, with just 19 goals in 24 games. As a result, Roberto d'Aversa's side sit 19th in the table with two wins to their name - two!
Now that is bad form.
4. Dijon - Ligue 1
A 4-0 defeat by PSG last time out saw Dijon go 11 points adrift of safety, leaving the French side with an average of just 0.56 points per game this season - ouch.
Now that just doesn't cut the mustard.
3. Crotone - Serie A
Three quarters of Crotone's league matches this season have ended in defeat. The side have picked up an average of half a point a game and sit eight points adrift of safety.
Arrivederci.
2. Sheffield United - Premier League
We all know how poor the Blades' season has been so far.
A ridiculous 21 losses in 26 games so far has left them all but mathematically relegated, with just 0.42 points per game.
It looks as though they're guaranteed to be playing Championship football next term, but they're not the worst team in Europe's top five leagues!
1. Schalke - Bundesliga
That accolade goes to Schalke. The German side have picked up nine points from 23 matches to this point, winning just once.
They've let in an unbelievable 61 goals so far, leaving them with the worst defence across the continent's top five leagues and a points per game ratio of 0.39.
Their dire run has left them with a sole victory in 39 Bundesliga games - a run stretching back to late January last year.
Let's hope they get back on track in the 2. Bundesliga next season.