As we head into an international break that features some of the most critical fixtures of the World Cup qualifying cycle, club football has been put out of the spotlight yet again. As we head into the final stretch of 2017 and a hugely important Christmas schedule in the Premier League, here's who I believe are the top 20 clubs in Europe at the moment.

20. Lyon

The French outfit currently sit third in a more-competitive Ligue 1 table than what was anticipated in preseason. Nabil Fekir is a rising star in the world of football, as he has established himself as one of Europe's brightest young talents, all the while attracting the interest of some of the world's biggest clubs. Moreover, he looks to be in pole position to secure a spot in the France squad in a World Cup year.

19. Shakhtar Donetsk

The Ukrainian side have been brilliant in the Champions League this campaign, sitting second in a group that features some of Europe's absolute best in Manchester City and Napoli. We could see this club pull off a few surprises in the knockout stages this year.

18. Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp's men are an attacking masterclass. With Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah terrorizing Premier League defenses on a weekly bases, the Reds are an organized defense away from being out and out title challengers. They also sit top of a group that features the likes of Sevilla and Spartak Moscow in the UCL, which is no small feat.

17. FC Porto

Porto are flying in the league right now, sitting with just two points dropped all campaign, which is tied with Barcelona for the least points dropped in Europe's major leagues this season. They are struggling, however, in a relatively weak Champions League group, where Besiktas sits top.

16. AS Monaco

A huge 6-0 win just shows how impressive this team has been in the wake of losing Kylian Mbappe to dreaded rivals PSG and Bernardo Silva to Man City. Radamel Falcao continues to revive his career alongside a stellar Thomas Lemar, and this side should be pushing Paris the whole way.

15. Real Madrid

Yes, the reigning champions of Europe are floundering in La Liga. Just as I predicted, their self-arrogant assumption of their dominance has come back to bite them, and there is evident discord within the team, as can be witnessed with Cristiano Ronaldo's moodiness at the moment. There's no doubt that Los Blancos are too good of a side to stay here for long, but here they are, eight points adrift of Barcelona.

14. AS Roma

Are we truly seeing Edin Dzeko's full potential? The ex-Manchester City flop is absolutely dominating the Serie A scoring sheets, igniting Roma's surge in a five-way title race that sees them just five points adrift of leaders Napoli. After losing both eternal captain Francesco Totti and manager Luciano Spalletti, this is better than anyone could've expected.

13. Lazio

Roma's crosstown rivals have been incredible this campaign, having lost just once and drawn just once all season in Serie A, yet they sit fourth in what looks to be Europe's most competitive division in 2017-18 (ironic considering the same club has won the league the last six times).

12. Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone's side have draw-fever this season; they have lost just one match in both La Liga and the Champions League combined all campaign, but they have drawn five league matches. If not for a late Thomas Partey winner against Deportivo la Coruña, it would be six. This club goes with its star player, and until Antoine Griezmann regains his form, Los Rojiblancos remain nothing more than a sleeping giant, and they are in legitimate danger of being eliminated from the UCL after two consecutive draws against Azerbaijan side Qarabag.

11. Chelsea

Antonio Conte and the reigning Premier League champions look unlikely to repeat, given the stellar form of both Manchester clubs, but the Blues are still one of Europe's best sides. Alvaro Morata has been in surprisingly good form, scoring at will as he looks to replace Diego Costa as Chelsea's talisman.

10. Valencia CF

Los Che are the biggest turnaround story in Europe this season. After appearing to be a once-storied club floundering near the relegation zone, Valencia have surged back to the top end of the La Liga table. Suddenly, Simone Zaza is setting the league alight, and Goncalo Guedes looks like a true superstar, as the club look like legitimate title contenders in a weak year for both Madrid clubs, Sevilla, and Athletic Bilbao. They sit just four points adrift of a Barcelona side that have only dropped two points all campaign, and here's to hoping they can push it all the way.

9. Inter Milan

Mauro Icardi has gone from hated captain to superstar in just one year. Inter are right in the thick of the title race in Luciano Spalletti's first season in charge. This team's free-flowing, attacking football is one of Europe's best watches at the moment.

8. Manchester United

Jose Mourinho's Red Devils will be looking ahead to the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba from injury this December, as the side have played an ugly brand of defensive football and look wildly inconsistent. However, they do sit second in the table, and a return to form could carry this side to a title challenge.

7. Tottenham Hotspur

To all who called Harry Kane a one-season wonder, I present to you 2017. Kane is the deadliest talisman in the Premier League at the moment, and Spurs, fresh off four points from two matches against Real Madrid, sit level on points with second-place Manchester United, albeit, eight adrift of leaders City.

6. Napoli

After playing some of Europe's most dazzling football early in the campaign, with Pep Guardiola going as far as to call Napoli the best side his Man City team has faced, they have tailed off just a bit. However, they do still sit on top of Serie A by a point, despite struggling in the Champions League.

5. Juventus

The six-time defending Serie A champions are in true danger of losing that title for the first time in over half a decade, as they sit second in a tight race with just under a third of the season gone. They should still be the favorites, however, as they are just a point off the top spot, and with a core of Miralem Pjanic, Paulo Dybala, and Gonzalo Higuain, this side simply has too much talent right now.

4. Bayern Munich

Bayern, much like Juventus, have yet to truly assert their dominance this year on a league they have owned, although this side has played much better since the return of Jupp Heynckes. They should still be firmly the favorites to win the Bundesliga, but this may be an other year without European glory.

3. FC Barcelona

Despite only having dropped two points all season in La Liga, Barcelona's form has been significantly worse than their results, as it has taken a peak form Lionel Messi to keep this side afloat right now, although problems could surface as we move forward with the campaign.

2. Paris Saint-Germain

Neymar's short PSG experience has been nothing short of dramatic. From battles with established star striker Edinson Cavani to manager Unai Emery, the record signing has already been linked with a move to none other than...Real Madrid. If this truly happens, honor in football is dead. However, there's been great success domestically, as PSG remain undefeated so far.

1. Manchester City

This is what we all expected when Pep Guardiola took over last season. The Citizens are in flying form, and look unbeatable at the moment. Sergio Aguero has been fenomenal so far, Kevin De Bruyne is building a strong case for a European Team of the Year appearance, and huge money English signings Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker have panned out. This side is the favorite every time they step out on the pitch, and could make this a special year on the blue half of Manchester.