Usually, at this time of the year, the football leagues in the stronger European nations would still be very much in the balance.

With just half of the campaign over – or nearly – it would still be too early to make a safe bet on who will win the championship in the respective country.

Not this time.

In England, Italy, Spain and Germany, the leading club seems to be much stronger than the rest of the field, has built a steady advantage and therefore, bar any unlikely collapse in the second part of the season, will go on to be crowed domestic champion in May.

In England, Manchester United have opened up a six-point lead over their rivals Manchester City, and the way the Red Devils are playing and City’s inconsistency, it is probable that the premiership crown will cross to the red side of the city this year. Chelsea lost too many points recently and the Benitez cure is not working, while clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool are too cut off from the top and all they could aspire for is a place in the top four for a Champions League berth.

Matters are similar in Italy, where Juventus have built an even bigger advantage, seven points, over Inter. The reigning champions have lost their unbeaten record at home and away to both Milanese clubs, but they are winning more games than they did last season, and they have opened up an unassailable lead. The battle will be for the second and third place, which would guarantee a place in the European Cup next season.

Barcelona’s lead in Spain has grown to nine points and, even here, the Catalans are a head above the rest. Atletico Madrid are second while Real Madrid are having a poor season by their standards, and are 13 points behind the league leaders. What could upset Barcelona is the news that their coach Vilanova has cancer and is undergoing serious medical treatment.

Bayern Munich have a similar lead in Germany, nine points over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Normally, when Bayern open up such a lead before the winter break, they never relinquish it. And with their opponents being too inconsistent Bayern can easily wrap up their domestic championship early to concentrate on the more lucrative Champions League.

The only close championship is that in France, where PSG, Lyon and Marseille enter the Christmas week locked on 35 points each. But the Parisians have now settled down and it will not be a surprise if they run away with the league in the second part.