5 stats that show how Real Madrid have improved this season

#1 Real Madrid are contending for the title again

Los Blancos are back in contention for a league title

Arguably for the first time since winning the league in 2017, Real Madrid are once again contending for the title. And that's perhaps the biggest pointer to the side's marked improvement.

They are three points clear at the top of the table ahead of Barcelona, and look set to push their rivals down to the wire this time.

In all honesty, the Blaugrana benefited from both Madrid teams' struggles in the last two campaigns. LaLiga had become a one-horse race despite numerous unsatisfactory results of their own.

Barcelona were barely troubled by either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid last season, whereas the title race of 2017-18 lost steam even before the half-way mark.

This season though, the Whites are back in it and LaLiga once again appears to be a contest between the traditional rivals.

They've lost only once so far - the least in the division - and are behind only Liverpool in Europe's primary leagues. Santiago Bernabeu is a fortress again.

Real Madrid's improved results have seen them go seven points better than what they were at this stage last year, and they are seriously pushing for a 34th league title.