Barca earn the right to lose

Barca's near-perfect start to the new season has got the club's fans sitting on cloud nine, especially after all the 'crisis' talk earlier this summer.

After the latest round of fixtures, during which Sevilla were defeated by Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano, Barca now have a four-point lead over their nearest rivals, which just so happens to be Atletico.

With that in mind, Ernesto Valverde's men have the luxury of being able to lose a game and still hold on to top spot. That particular stat becomes all the more intriguing when we consider that Barca face a trip to Madrid to face Diego Simeone's side in the not too distant future.

If Barca can maintain their impressive start with a victory over Las Palmas next time out, they will go into the game at the Wanda Metropolitano knowing that no matter the result, they will still be top of La Liga at full-time.

That will no doubt come as a handy 'get out of jail free card' for the Catalans, though they will no doubt be hoping that they don't have to use it.

Currently, Barca are not only the side with the best goal difference in La Liga (20, with their nearest rival on 13) but they have also conceded the fewest goals in the competition so far. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has leaked just two goals so far this campaign, just beating out Leganes and Sevilla who have conceded three apiece and Atletico and Levante with four, though the latter have played one game fewer than their counterparts.

Barca's stats are so impressive that only Juventus, Napoli and Porto can compete on a European level. But can the Catalans keep up their form when it really counts?