5 most surprising clubs in Europe this season

As we gradually reach the end of the 2018/2019 European club football season, clubs are making last-ditch efforts to fulfil their season objectives.

These objectives come in different forms to different clubs, as some seek winning of trophies, while others attempt to consolidate on their European places and yet others battle to avoid relegation.

There are different cadres of clubs on the football hierarchy, and as such, the bigger clubs are always expected to perform creditably better than the rest.

However, almost every other season, some unheralded clubs manage to disrupt the status quo, refusing to conform to the established order and generally punching above their weight, with Leicester's surprise Premier League triumph in 2016 perhaps being the most pristine example of this.

This campaign has been no different, as the 2018/2019 European footballing season has served up its own fair share of surprise packages. In this piece, we shall be taking a rundown of the five most surprising clubs in Europe this season.

#5 Lille (Ligue 1)

We kick off the list with French Ligue 1 side OSC Lille who currently find themselves in the second spot on the league table.

This is made more impressive by the fact that they were involved in a relegation scrap last season which saw them finish in 17th spot and survive the drop by just a single point.

Their charge at the top of the table has been spearheaded by the impressive performance of Nicolas Pepe who has scored 18 goals and registered nine assists from 30 league appearances and it is little surprise that the 23-year-old Ivorian international is being linked with a high profile transfer to a major European club.

Under Christophe Galtier, Lille have earned widespread plaudits for their broad, attractive style of play, coupled with a mean defence which gives away little and results on the field have matched their displays.

Between January and February, the club went on an impressive five-match consecutive winning run in Ligue 1 to all but guarantee that Champions League football would return to Stade Pierre-Mauroy next season.

#4 Alaves (Spanish La Liga)

Just three years ago, Deportivo Alaves were battling it out with clubs like Cordoba, Real Oviedo and Gimnastic Tarragona in the second division of the Spanish league.

Qualification was secured at the end of the 2015/2016 season when the club topped the Segunda division and they have settled right in among the big boys.

They pulled off a shock on the opening day of the 2016/2017 season when they held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw before causing even more headlines by defeating the mighty Barcelona 2-1 at the Nou Camp in what was an eventual 9th place finish in addition to making it to the final of the Copa del Rey.

A more disappointing campaign followed last season as they finished in 14th place, but what a bounce back they have had this term.

There have been some pretty positive results this season including wins against Real Madrid and Valencia and they currently find themselves fighting for European places as they currently find themselves in 7th spot, just three points off the top four.

#3 Stade de Reims (French Ligue 1)

Reims only gained promotion to Ligue 1 from Lihue2 at the end of last season having finished top of France's second tier, but it is difficult to fathom judging by how well they have adapted.

The club opened their league account with impressive wins against Nice and Lyon to send a statement of intent to the rest of the league.

Under the management of David Guion, Reims have been forged into a compact side that gives little away, evidenced by the fact that they have scored 31 and conceded the same number of goals in 30 Ligue matches till date.

Reims currently find themselves in 6th spot on the standings, three points off St Etienne who occupy the last European spot, although they could have one more slot available to them, seeing as PSG are already through to the final of the Coupe de France where they are expected to triumph over Rennes.

#2 Getafe (Spanish La Liga)

In what would have scarcely been believable at the start of the season, Getafe currently occupy 4th place and the final Champions League spot in the Spanish top-flight ahead of more heralded teams like Sevilla and Valencia with just eight rounds of matches to go.

Even though they are yet to pull off a major scalp this season by beating one of the big boys, Getafe have consolidated on that by posting positive results against the lesser ranked teams.

The Azulones went on an impressive seven-match unbeaten run between February and March to further strengthen their grip on the fourth spot, although they have to look over their shoulders at an ever-improving Valencia who are on a 17 match unbeaten run themselves and are just one point behind Getafe alongside Sevilla.

Getafe's charge has been led by the impressive Jaime Mata who has scored 15 goals from 30 La Liga appearances and this form justifiably saw the 30-year-old win his first cap for Spain.

#1 Wolves (English Premier League)

Chelsea FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

Arguably the biggest revelation in all of Europe this season, Wolverhampton Wanderers blew all away en route their Championship triumph last season, but few could have predicted just how well the club would make the transition to the top-flight.

Under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, Wolves have defied expectations and are currently 'the best of the rest', occupying 7th spot on the Premier League table while also being through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

They have been the biggest bogey team to the top six sides, having posted victories against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United, while also holding Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to draws.

Virtually of their summer signings have impressed including Diego Jota, Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho, Jonny Castro and Wilfred Boly, but perhaps none has been as instrumental as former Atletico Madrid castaway Raul Jimenez who was signed on loan from Benfica.

The Mexican forward has starred with 12 goals and seven assists from 32 Premier League appearances while also weighing in with three goals in the FA Cup and it is little wonder that the club triggered his release clause of £32.6m to make him a permanent Wolves player effective July 1 2019.

Edited by Aaditya Narayan