Seven games into their La Liga campaign, FC Barcelona have not dropped a point. Seven wins, 21 points, a goal difference of plus 24. Manchester City are matching that pace in England with five wins from five in the Premier League, good for 15 points and a goal difference of plus 8. Two of Europe's traditional heavyweights, both flawless, both setting the tone at the top of their tables.
Elsewhere the picture is not quite so tidy, but the leaders are still comfortable.
Unbeaten at the top
Barcelona's plus 24 goal difference is the standout figure anywhere in this round-up, built from seven straight wins without a draw or defeat. City's own start, five wins out of five with a plus 8 difference, keeps them clear at the summit in England.
Leading without perfection
In Italy, AS Roma sit top of Serie A on 13 points from four wins and a draw, with a goal difference of plus 11. AS Monaco occupy the same spot in Ligue 1, also on 13 points from an identical 4W 1D 0L record, though their goal difference sits at plus 5.
Further afield, the leaders have played a lot more football. Flamengo top the Brazilian Serie A with 60 points from 18 wins, six draws and four losses, a goal difference of plus 32 across a long campaign. Nashville SC lead MLS on the same 60 points, with an 18-6-3 record and the biggest goal difference of any leader here at plus 34.
Elsewhere in the mix
Swansea City head the Championship on 17 points, built from five wins, two draws and one defeat, a goal difference of plus 7. In the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar sit atop the Eredivisie with 19 points from six wins and a draw, their goal difference standing at plus 12.
Taken together, it is a snapshot of contrasting styles at the top: Barcelona and City winning every time out, Roma and Monaco leading despite a single dropped point, and Flamengo and Nashville doing it the long way over a much fuller schedule. Different leagues, different rhythms, but for now, all of them on top.