by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

This week's peek at France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain will shine the light on clubs out of the starting blocks faster than expected.

We have adjusted the ranking system slightly for this one, with the teams judged by the likelihood they'll maintain early pace to finish near the top.

#5 - WonderWaal

It's been 10 years since RKC Waalwijk finished an Eredivisie season as high as their seventh place standing through seven games. The southerners, who spent three of the last four years in the second flight, have never finished higher than their current slot.

While everyone has been enjoying good starts from last term's top four (leaders AZ, Twente, Ajax and PSV) and the resurrection at Feyenoord, RKC has quietly notched four quick wins by being stingy.

With six goals allowed, only AZ have been tidier at the back than RKC thus far. This young side is also receiving plenty of loaned help, including that of PSV keeper Jeroen Zoet, Feyenoord midfielder Adil Auassar and Ajax strike apprentice Geoffrey Castillion.

#4 - The (Other) Real World

Since 2005, things have been pretty rough for Real Betis. While city rivals Sevilla were scooping up a pair of UEFA Cups, a European Super Cup and a Spanish Super Cup, the Verdiblanco endured four seasons near the bottom and 2010-11 in the Segunda Division.

Back in the bigs on the bounce, Betis are also making fine use of loan stars (headlined by Roque Santa Cruz) up in first place through five games. Yes... you read that correctly.

Before dropping a close one at Getafe on Monday, the Balompie crew has begun the season with four consecutive wins. They can get back on track against fellow early darling Levante and then have the international break to prepare for a Real trip to Madrid.

#3 - 'Gladbach In The High Life Again

Once upon a time, Borussia Moenchengladbach were a big club, however you wish to define the term. Once upon three-and-a-half decades, to be exact. However, the Foals have not so much as darkened the Bundesliga top 10 in 15 years now.

It seems those young players at the back have come of age because 'Gladbach has won five of seven by allowing just three goals so far. Only one of those has come before the hour mark - and that one was quickly steamrolled by a four-goal reply. Starting with their opening day win at Bayern Munich, the storied club have already posted four 1-0 victories.

Hot topic winger Marco Reus has naturally been the leader, but much credit has to go to 19-year-old keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who had not started a Bundesliga match before toppling their heyday rivals Bayern.

#2 - As Donkeys Fly

Chievo made a Serie A splash with a debut fifth place finish one decade ago. Four years later, they ended up fourth - and then were relegated the follow season.

Currently third, the Flying Donkeys are in rare air for them. With most of the favorites struggling early, Chievo would be unbeaten through four games were it not for a stoppage time winner conceded at Parma.

With U.S. star Michael Bradley settling in nicely, Chievo will certainly hope to pick up another three points at Cesena before the international break arrives. After it, we will see if the slipper truly fits thanks to back-to-back tilts with early pacesetter Juventus and Inter Milan.

#1 - Toulouse or not Toulouse?

Let's be honest: none of these five is a serious title contender. If forced to pick the one most likely finish the season in the in the table station they currently inhabit, it would have to be third place Toulouse.

After all, Les Pitchouns garnered the bronze in 2007 and ended up fourth in 2009. And like a couple of our other Top 5 leagues, some Ligue 1 standout names have stumbled out of the blocks.

Two of those clubs, Sochaux and Marseille, are next on the Toulouse docket. They'd best expect a tight opening phase, as TFC have yet to allow a goal over the first half hour of their eight matches this season.