Those who are first shall be last? Early season form goes against the stats in a much tight division.

Division 4 looks to be much tougher this year and overall is almost 0.5 point stronger overall compared to last season. It is aso has pretty much the same range as Division 3 , even with a lower average.

Bremen would seem to be the out and out favourites with a strong attacking line, Suarez should be able to beast most defences in this league.

Santos and Dynamo Moscow are well balanced teams, as are Boca even with a little less depth.  If 218 is the cut off for D3 survival then any one of 14 teams has a chance to do well with little reinforcement , so the challenge is to get out of the division.  West Brom and Sampdoria will be interesting to watch as while they have quality , they certainly don’t have quantity.

Atalanta or Villareal could be good cup teams this season .

Lower down , last season gave us no clues as to what is needed to survive but looking back a couple of seasons 217.5 seemed to be the cut off but with a half a point up grade that could mean 218 , so we could have 14 teams in the hunt for promotion with 6 others scrapping it out for relegation.

Leicester are at least in theory the lowest ranked side, but 2 decent wins so far leaves them in a good place. Remember last season the top 2 were 12th and 17th ranked.

Malaga have a decent attack but will suffer in possession and will let in goals,  Spartak a stronger overall team but lacking depth.  PSV ok in midfield and defence but keeper and attack could prove costly.  River Plate and Fenerbache are tied with near identical sides.

I would expect a big differential from these stats , as last season with some big shocks in the promoted and relegated teams, no one is safe.