How a football league table works
A league table ranks every club by how well it has done so far. It looks simple, but the details are what decide titles, European places and relegation.
Points
In almost every league a win earns three points, a draw earns one and a defeat earns none. Clubs are ranked by total points. Before 1981 in England, a win earned only two points, which is why older tables look different.
When clubs have the same points
Leagues use tie-breakers. In England, Germany and many other leagues, the first tie-breaker is goal difference, which is goals scored minus goals conceded. If that is also level, the next tie-breaker is goals scored. In Spain, the results between the tied clubs come first, which can put a club with a worse overall goal difference ahead.
The columns you will see
P is matches played. W, D and L are wins, draws and losses. GF and GA are goals for and goals against. GD is goal difference, and Pts is points. Some tables also show the result of each club's last five matches, with W, D and L.
What the positions mean
The club at the top is the leader, and the title goes to whoever is top after the last match. Places near the top usually bring entry to European competition. The bottom places are relegation positions: those clubs drop to the next division. Each league sets its own numbers, which is why the same position can mean different things in different countries.
Why matches played matters
A club can be higher in the table with fewer points if it has played fewer matches, and a club with a game in hand has more chance to catch up. Always check the P column when comparing clubs.