5 teams exceeding expectations so far in Europe this season - 2017/18

Football has a tendency to produce underdog stories that lead to some of the most significant upsets in some of the most demanding leagues.

Giant clubs boasting wealth usually fight for the title among themselves, leaving mid-table and relegation teams out of the picture.

Newly promoted and average teams sometimes perform beyond their club's expectations - placing smiles across the faces of the ultras.

Here are the clubs in Europe's top five leagues that are playing beyond their potential.

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#5 FC Nantes (Ligue 1)

Ranieri's FC Nantes hoping to replicate the success of Leicester City

With Claudio Ranieri at the helm, the Canaries will be looking to emulate the fairytale story of Leicester City. Sitting in third place on the table with 20 points, Nantes have taken Ligue 1 by storm with their efficient and effective style of play.

Last season's opening ten rounds saw Les Jaunes et verts (The Green and Yellows) in a predicament, losing half of their fixtures.

Ranieri's arrival has immensely improved the team's defence - an indicator of why The Yellow House are one of the best defensive sides in France so far. With Nantes fielding a formidable defence line, their attack has only managed to score nine goals.

Ranieri's men may not be playing the most attractive brand of football, but the 4-4-2 formation - parallel to the style used at Leicester two seasons ago - seems to be paying dividends thus far.

However, things look optimistic at the moment for the eight-time Ligue 1 champions. Ranieri plying his trade at Nantes has reinvented the players, although the key for future success will be to keep on scraping wins and applying pressure to reigning champions AS Monaco and current league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

#4 CD Leganes (La Liga)

CD Leganes relishing their astonishing adventure in La Liga so far

Leganes, a city located on the outskirts of Madrid, has locals filled with hope that CD Leganes can pull off something phenomenal in this season's Spanish La Liga.

Los Pepineros (The Cucumber Growers) are currently enjoying life, sitting in fifth place on the league table after nine rounds. With only their second time playing in Spain's first division, the Leganense are playing enticing football, earning respect from some of the giants like Atletico Madrid.

There's no denying that the club's success has been derived from their manager Asier Garitano. Being appointed Leganes boss in 2013, the Spaniard has guided the Los Legionaries from Spain's third tier of football to the La Liga, the latter being the pinnacle competition where Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are creating lasting legacies.

Gabriel Appelt Pires - the Leganes star - is the heart of the team's midfield. A Juventus product, the 24-year-old Brazilian built his defensive skills through several loans in Italy's Serie A and B divisions. The versatile midfielder is fundamental to the Leganes attack through his peculiar chips which see the ball glide over defence lines and find the striker.

Leganes' next three fixtures see them take on Sevilla, an in-form Valencia, and league leaders Barcelona. The minnow club will hope they can continue to be the league's best defensive team and write a story for the record books.

#3 Hannover 96 (Bundesliga)

Hannover 96 aiming to recreate their early success and decorated past in top-flight football

After being promoted from Bundesliga 2 last season, Hannover 96 have, so far, surpassed their expectations in this season's top German division.

Die Roten (The Reds) have been in turmoil over the last couple of seasons - the 2015/16 relegation acting as a miserable campaign. The club - located in Lower Saxony - has set their objective of securing safety in Germany's top flight.

However, Hannover are also in the hot seat to produce a stellar season, and that is clinching a Europa League place. It has been 63 years since this side last won a first division title in Germany, but the emphatic start to the 2017/18 season can create a confident feeling among the players and passionate supporters.

The 96ers' forward Martin Harnik was vital in the club's sublime campaign in the Bundesliga 2 last season by scoring 17 goals. The Austrian international has so far bagged 5 goals in the Bundesliga - a sign that the 30-year-old has continued his immense form in one of Europe's most demanding leagues.

#2 UC Sampdoria (Serie A)

Sampdoria's youth is bringing joy back to Ligurian football

With I Blucerchiati sitting in sixth place on the Serie A table, the one-time scudetto champions are proving that youth can build success in Italy's elite level of football. The Ligurian club are reminiscent of last season's Atalanta - utilising the youth academy products.

Sampdoria has always been able to produce future football stars - Mauro Icardi and Shkodran Mustafi - being some of the notable talents.

Il Doria are silencing the critics in this season's Serie A by playing the simple, but effective passing game. Marco Giampaolo's men have so far maintained a perfect home record, creating a daunting fortress for oppositions.

With Patrik Schick's transfer to AS Roma in the summer transfer window, La Samp have managed to continue scoring goals with the service from Napoli loanee Duvan Zapata. Ivan Strinic, 30, has been another significant addition to the squad, with the Croatian bolstering the defence line.

Youngsters Dennis Praet and Karol Linetty have orchestrated the dynamic midfield, hence assisting hitman striker Fabio Quagliarella. With Sampdoria off to a flying start this season, the test for them will be to replicate the home form when travelling to play away fixtures.

#1 Watford FC (English Premier League)

Watford keeping the English Premier League giants on their toes

This season's English Premier League is creating huge upsets and appearing as an open race to claim UEFA Champions League and Europa League spots.

One team from Hertfordshire that is playing just their fifth season in the Premier League era and eyeing to cause problems for top sides is Watford FC. The Hornets remain in sixth place with 15 points on the table, highlighting that they won't be an easy beat for mid-table and top oppositions.

Being a club that has spent the majority of seasons in the lower divisions of English football, this campaign is turning out to be more than just escaping relegation. Having avoided relegation by six points last season, Watford's new manager, Marco Silva, is looking to go one better after his predecessors Quique Sanchez Flores and Walter Mazzarri.

Abdoulaye Doucoure is a key member in the squad that is providing a spark in the midfield area. The 24-year-old Frenchman has scored four goals in nine appearances so far and will be striving to continue that fine form for the entire duration of the campaign.

An exciting talent to watch is rising star Richarlison, who is enjoying his first season in the Premier League. With the 20-year-old coming from one of the poor and criminal areas of Brazil, the skilful winger is becoming a popular figure at Vicarage Road.

If the Yellow Army are to continue producing more upsets, they will need to be more consistent on the road.