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The beginning of a new season brings its fair share of weirdness. With only a few games played so far, a team could find themselves in a surprising position in the table just by stringing a handful of good results together.
This season, especially, has seen an unusual number of teams put together surprising runs of good form, while traditional powerhouses such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have stuttered.
It’s these runs that give fans the hope that this season could be extraordinary. Their time near the top of the table may prove to be brief, but there’s an unquestionable sense of giddiness in seeing an unexpected team up with the big boys.
And as Leicester proved in 2015/16, these good starts can sometimes lead to something miraculous.
The season is still young, but now is a good time to celebrate the teams defying expectation. Here are just 5 of those teams from Europe’s biggest leagues:
#5 Bournemouth
The top of the Premier League has already taken on a familiar look, with five members of the so-called “top six” occupying the first five spots in the table. But in sixth place, just four points off fourth-placed Tottenham sits Bournemouth.
Bournemouth has been a steady mid-table presence since coming up from the Championship in 2015. After surviving against in the odds in their first season, they've managed respectable ninth and 12th placed finishes while still using many of the players that got them promoted in the first place.
There’s always a sense Bournemouth will plummet down the table eventually, but they continue to defy those expectations. Five wins from their opening nine games this season, including an impressive 16 goals scored (the same as Liverpool in second) suggests this group of players are playing their best football.
Europe may be a step too far given the quality at the top of the Premier League, but Eddie Howe’s team are a good watch. Wherever they end up, they’ll entertain all the way.
#4 Deportivo Alaves
Barcelona may have reclaimed top spot in LaLiga, but their closest challenges aren't Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid – it’s Deportivo Alaves, a much smaller club hailing from the Basque region.
Alaves finished 14th last season, a downgrade on their ninth placed finish the season before under Mauricio Pellegrino. With a tiny budget and a squad lacking a genuine superstar, they battled against relegation to consolidate their place in LaLiga.
A strong defensive organisation has been key to their early season success. They’ve scored 11 goals fewer than Barcelona but have conceded just eight so far. That strong defence has earned them unlikely victories, including a dramatic last-minute win over struggling Real Madrid.
Around two decades ago, Alaves were competing in the UEFA Cup final against Liverpool. Since then, they’ve fallen into Spain’s third tier and toiled in the lower divisions for several years. This current run at the top of the table may be short-lived, but their fans have been loving every minute of it.
#3 Espanyol
Just as impressive as Alaves are Espanyol: the Catalan club forever in Barcelona’s shadow.
Like Alaves, Espanyol have built their early season form on a strong defence. New manager Rubi has put much of his effort into making his side obstinate and difficult to beat while counting on striker Borja Iglesias and the mercurial Esteban Granero for goals and creativity.
So far, it’s working. Five wins from nine represent their best start to a LaLiga campaign for many years. Home wins over Villareal and Valencia are the highlights.
Espanyol fans will be wary of tougher tests to come but will be encouraged by their narrow defeat away to Real Madrid. It's an accomplishment for any club to escape the Bernabeu with just a 1-0 defeat.
That newly found toughness could form the foundation for a successful season. It's been quite some time since Espanyol were in Europe and reaching UEFA Cup finals. Perhaps this could be the season they rise out of mid-table obscurity and return to continental competition.
#2 Werder Bremen
It’s been nearly 15 years since Werder Bremen won the Bundesliga. Between 2003 and 2008, they were one of the best clubs in Germany as they challenged for the title and appeared frequently in the Champions League.
However, the last decade hasn’t been so kind. Recent seasons have seen them drop into mid-table, a long way behind the top clubs in the country.
That could change this season. Werder Bremen sit third in the Bundesliga, just three points behind early leaders Borussia Dortmund. Florian Kohfeldt, in his second season in charge, has engineered five wins from his first eight games, the most impressive of which being a 2-0 win away to last season's runners-up Schalke.
The goals from 21-year-old midfield Max Eggestein have thus far been crucial, while they can continue to count on the experience of 40-year-old club legend Claudio Pizzaro. With Bayern Munich underperforming, the Bundesliga is wide open. Everyone expects Borussia Dortmund to take advantage but keep an eye on Werder Bremen as well.
#1 Montpellier
Only divine intervention can stop PSG from winning yet another Ligue 1 title this season. 10 wins from 10, with a frightening 37 goals scored, it’s safe to say the title won’t be leaving Paris anytime soon.
There have only been two teams who have stopped PSG from winning the title since 2012: Monaco and the relatively unknown Montpellier.
That Montpellier team, powered by the goals of Olivier Giroud, claimed an unlikely title win in just their third season back in Ligue 1 following a five-year absence. Unfortunately, they were unable to replicate that success and have since dropped into mid-table.
They won’t win the title this season, either, but a place in Europe next season could be up for grabs. Montpellier currently sits third, above the likes of Marseille and Lyon. They boast the second-best defensive record in the league.
If they keep this up, it could be an unexpected return to the Champions League for them.
