A league table ranks every team by the points it has earned. A win is worth three points, a draw one, and a defeat none. After each round of matches the table is re-sorted, and the team with the most points sits on top.
When teams are level on points
Tiebreakers decide the order. Many leagues look at goal difference first: goals scored minus goals conceded. Some competitions use head-to-head results first, so check the rules of the league you follow.
Reading the columns
P is matches played, W, D and L are wins, draws and losses, and GD is goal difference. A team with a match in hand has played fewer games than its rivals, so its points total can still rise.
Positions at the top usually earn places in continental competitions, while the bottom places mean relegation. The exact number of spots changes by league and by season.