What are the top 5 leagues?

There is regular debate over which leagues are the best to watch or have the best players in them or even which are the most competitive and diverse in terms of who can challenge for honours.

• English Premier League

The Premier League in England as our top-rated, overall most exciting league to follow, on a score of 8.9. the number of high-end clubs, big transfer fees and high attendances all rake in the big scores, while the Premier League matches La Liga for average goals per game with 2.9.

• Spanish La Liga

The top two are extremely close, but it’s La Liga that takes silver with 8.6. the most expensive league for the high-value XI, La Liga also scores huge points for newsworthiness, the number of stars on show and the competitive edge for the quantity of big teams.

• German Bundesliga

The German Bundesliga takes the bronze medal with a score of 8.5, and the areas where it is successful are as obvious as the areas for improvement are surprising. By contrast, the Bundesliga scores highest out of any league for attendances.

• Italian Serie A

Serie A takes fourth place with a score of 8.0, as the differences between the biggest leagues become clear. Serie A is on its way back, but its attendances are perhaps the one aspect missing the most.

• French Ligue 1

France’s Ligue 1 takes fifth with 6.8, which is not all that far clear of the Dutch league.

It has a good reputation for producing youth, plenty of big sides with rivalry and good attendances throughout. There is room for improvement on the excitement scale, though, with goals per game at a relatively lowly 2.5.