5 most surprising clubs in Europe this season

#4 Alaves (Spanish La Liga)

Girona FC v Deportivo Alaves - 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.