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We have only 5 gameweeks to go in the current Premier League season.
Liverpool are top of the table with 85 points, just two ahead of Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola's men have a game in hand over their rivals in what has been an intensely engrossing title race so far.
The race for the top 4 is just as fascinating, with only 4 points separating Tottenham at 3rd and Manchester United at 6th.
The likes of City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea are also still involved in Europe, which could have major implications in terms of Champions League qualification and the title race.
The gulf between the top 6 and the rest of the Premier League sides has been increasing over the last couple of seasons. This time around, 7th-placed Leicester trail United by a massive 17 points.
In spite of that gap, teams like Leicester, Wolves and Watford have continued to impress fans and critics alike with their impressive displays this season, and some of their players have been outstanding.
These players from outside the top 6 deserve their due credit, so let's take a look at the best XI of such players from the current Premier League campaign:
GK: Rui Patricio (Wolves)
Wolves utilised the chaos in Sporting CP's dressing room to make a move for Portugal's no. 1 Rui Patricio, who has lived up to the hype this season.
The 31-year-old, who has 79 caps for his country, has been one of the stand-out goalkeepers in the Premier League, keeping 6 clean sheets this season. His performances, coupled with Nuno Santo's organised defensive system, will probably help Wolves finish 7th.
Wolves have been one of the best newly-promoted sides in recent memory, and Patricio has been a crucial cog for them.
RB: Matt Doherty (Wolves)
Even considering all the Premier League teams, Matt Doherty has probably been one of the best right-backs in the division this season.
Returning to the top flight after 6 seasons, Doherty has seamlessly adapted to the increased intensity and has provided an invaluable attacking outlet for Wolves on their right flank.
He's scored three goals and provided four assists so far, and even won the Premier League Player of the Month award in September. It's no wonder he was recently awarded a new 4-year contract by Wolves.
CB: Connor Coady (Wolves)
That's 3 out of 3 players for Wolves in this XI, and that's no surprise, considering their brilliant defensive record this season.
Coady is a Liverpool youth graduate and even played for their senior team once in 2013. The 26-year-old, who also captains his club, has now been an integral part of Wolves for the last 4 seasons. He hasn't missed a single game in his first full Premier League campaign.
The Englishman has been immense at the heart of Wolves' defence, and there were also calls for him to be called up for the national squad. Don't be surprised if that happens soon.
CB: Michael Keane (Everton)
After breaking into the spotlight with his impressive performances at Burnley, Keane earned his inevitable big-money move when Everton signed him for £25 million in 2017. The Toffees went on an insane spending spree that summer - while most of those signings have flattered to deceive so far, Keane and Gylfi Sigurdsson have been outstanding.
The former Manchester United academy star has now also started to make a name for himself with England, having completed 90 minutes in their recent games against Montenegro and the Czech Republic.
This season, in spite of the arrivals of Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina, Keane has largely been the uncontested first choice in defence. It's only a matter of time before a bigger club comes knocking.
LB: Lucas Digne (Everton)
Lucas Digne was one of three Everton signings from Barcelona last summer. The 25-year-old had struggled to replace Jordi Alba at the Camp Nou, but he still arrived in England with a reputation that he'd earned for himself at PSG.
He wasted no time in replacing the ageing Leighton Baines at left-back and has provided an explosive attacking outlet down the left flank for Marco Silva's men.
Although the defensive part of his game could use some polishing, Digne has been absolutely invaluable going forward. He's scored three goals in the league so far, including a stunning brace against Burnley in December, and has also provided four assists.
CM: Abdoulaye Doucoure (Watford)
Doucoure came under the media limelight with his brilliant displays for Watford last season, which prompted rumours of a move to Tottenham. He remained at Vicarage Road though and has now become indispensable in midfield for the Hornets.
He's built a wonderful partnership with Will Hughes and Etienne Capoue. He's arguably the best box-to-box midfielder outside the top 6 in the Premier League and has even been linked with a move to PSG in the summer.
In January, he also spoke of his desire to play continental football, and Javi Gracia will probably find it very hard to hold on to his star man in the summer.
CM: Joao Moutinho (Wolves)
Joao Moutinho was one of the most unexpected and stunning signings of last summer. His arrival at Molineux was a clear indication of Wolves' ambitions.
The 32-year-old has lived up to expectations so far. In spite of the presence of several younger midfielders like Ruben Neves and Leander Dendoncker, Moutinho has been ever present in the Wolves midfield.
His experience and talent have helped him to dictate play, and he's fit in perfectly with the wealth of Portuguese talents in Nuno Santo's squad.
CM: Andre Gomes (Everton)
Andre Gomes was a fantastic player for Valencia in La Liga, but it quickly became apparent once he joined Barcelona that he didn't fit in the Blaugrana style of play.
He made the sensible decision of joining Everton on loan last summer and has formed a rewarding partnership with Idrissa Gueye in midfield.
Given that Barcelona have wrapped up a deal for Ajax's Frenkie de Jong, it's highly unlikely that they'll want Gomes back at the Camp Nou next season. He could turn out to be an excellent signing for the Toffees if they decide to make his move permanent.
LM: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Given that Zaha's performances have only been improving with every season, it's a wonder that Palace have managed to hold on to him so far.
With Christian Benteke being out injured for a large part of this season, Zaha has taken up a more advanced role alongside Andros Townsend and has flourished under Roy Hodgson. With the signing of Michy Batshuayi, he's taken up his traditional position again, with no reduction in his output.
The transfer mill continues to link him with a move away from Selhurst Park, with Borussia Dortmund being the latest club involved. Who knows what the future holds?
ST: Raul Jimenez (Wolves)
Raul Jimenez has been an absolute sensation in his first Premier League season. The 27-year-old Mexican was never quite prolific for Benfica but has an impressive return of 12 goals and seven assists this season.
Jimenez has a wide range of skill sets - his finishing is brilliant, he's strong in the air and his link-up play is excellent. Alongside Diogo Jota, he's been a thorn in every defence that has faced him this season.
Wolves wasted no time in securing him on a permanent transfer from Benfica, sealing a deal for a club record £30 million two weeks ago, even before the official completion of his loan spell.
RM: James Maddison (Leicester City)
Maddison spent only one full season with Norwich City in the Championship before Leicester splashed £20 million to sign him last summer.
Transfers from the Championship to the Premier League don't often work out, but Maddison has been a revelation for the Foxes. Playing as a traditional number 10, his vision and creativity have yielded seven goals and six assists this season.
His set-piece abilities also make him a dangerous threat from free kicks, which have been the major source of his goals so far. Still only 22 years old, he's one to watch for the future.
