Juventus running away again?

We're five rounds into the Serie A season and the top of the table is already starting to take on a familiar look. Juventus are out in front with a maximum 15 points, ahead of nearest rivals Napoli, who have 12 points. After winning the past seven titles, are Juventus already on the way to an eighth?

This season it was hoped that some of the other traditional big clubs could make a challenge to them. Inter were tipped to by some, having made new signings such as Radja Nainggolan, but have only two wins out of the first five. They've lost against Parma and Torino, sides they would expect to beat if they want to challenge Juventus' dominance, and are now already eight points back. 

Roma are another team who would have had high expectations for this season, but they've only won one of their opening games, losing twice, and have only five points so far. AC Milan also only have five points, although they may not be expected to be contending for the title yet after all the upheaval with their ownership situation over the past few seasons. Fiorentina and Lazio are doing slightly better, with ten and nine points respectively, but barring them having a spectacular season, they'll probably drop off the pace as the season goes on.

Juventus are definitely the strongest team in the league, with probably the largest budget and the best setup in the boardroom and off the pitch. This is why they've hoovered up the last seven titles. Even more worryingly for the rest of the league is that now Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be finding his groove, with a goal and an assist in their last game against Frosinone and two more goals in the game before that against Sassuolo. If he's getting on song then there really will not be any stopping them.

Midweek matches take place from tonight, we may have a better idea of how the season might work out after them. However, barring a spectacular collapse or a superhuman effort by one of the other teams, probably Napoli, it looks like we can already safely say that Juventus will be crowned again come next summer.