Five Surprise Packages in Europe’s Top Five Leagues This Season

The new European season has already delivered a handful of genuine surprises. While the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 are once again dominated by the usual suspects, elsewhere several clubs have defied expectations and shaken up the standings. Newly promoted sides in particular have taken the early weeks by storm, challenging the notion that the top levels of football are a closed shop.

That matters, because in modern football the margins for surprise are shrinking. In the Premier League, for example, newly promoted sides have been sent straight back down in each of the last two seasons. Elsewhere, the concentration of money and power has made the elite more entrenched than ever. Against that backdrop, it feels refreshing – almost rare – when teams without the biggest budgets upset the order and make themselves heard. Surprises in top-level football have become scarce, which makes this season’s few standout stories worth celebrating all the more. Here are five clubs that have defied expectations so far.

Crystal Palace — Premier League (3)

Third in the table, unbeaten, and with 12 points from their first six matches, Palace have carried their momentum from last season’s FA Cup triumph into the new campaign. Oliver Glasner has the Eagles playing with discipline and belief, and their 2–1 win over reigning champions Liverpool last weekend underlined just how far they’ve come. This is all the more remarkable considering the summer loss of star playmaker Eberechi Eze. A 12th-place finish last year suggested stability at best – but Palace now look like genuine contenders for Europe, and Glasner’s stock is rising fast.

Sunderland — Premier League (5)

The Black Cats are rewriting the script for Premier League newcomers. Sitting fifth after six games, Sunderland boast the third-best defensive record in the league – only Arsenal and Palace have conceded fewer goals. Much of that owes to the sensational form of goalkeeper Robin Roefs, who has quickly established himself as one of the division’s standout performers. On the touchline, Régis Le Bris has emerged as one of the most exciting young coaches in Europe, implementing a clear philosophy and getting the squad to buy in fully. For a club that has spent much of the past decade in turmoil, Sunderland’s resurgence is one of the season’s most uplifting stories.

Bournemouth — Premier League (6)

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth impressed last season by finishing ninth, but expectations dipped dramatically over the summer. The club sold Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen – three-quarters of last year’s back line – and also lost goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Many predicted regression. Instead, the Cherries are flying again. Sixth in the league, with their only defeat coming away at Liverpool on opening day, Bournemouth have proved Iraola’s methods are robust enough to survive heavy turnover. In fact, they might be even stronger than last year.

Cremonese — Serie A (7)

Back in Serie A after clinching promotion via the playoffs, Cremonese were tipped to battle relegation. Instead, they’ve started by stunning the division. A shock victory over league leaders AC Milan set the tone, and they remain unbeaten after five games, currently in seventh. Their blend of resilience and opportunism has made them Serie A’s most pleasant surprise. Staying power will be the question, but the early signs are encouraging.

Elche — La Liga (4)

Perhaps the most surprising of the bunch, Elche entered La Liga as a promoted side and have immediately established themselves as a force. They’re fourth after seven matches, and notably, they are one of only two unbeaten teams in Spain – the other being Barcelona. With three wins and four draws, Elche are sitting above Atlético Madrid and several established contenders. The long season ahead will test their depth, but right now they’re proving that they belong at the very top end of the table.

Can the Bumblebees Keep Flying?

History suggests that most early-season fairy tales eventually meet reality: thin squads get stretched, fixture lists get heavier, and the established giants flex their muscles. These unexpected “bumblebees” may find themselves drifting back toward mid-table as winter sets in.

Yet their stories point to something bigger. With sharp recruitment, bold coaching appointments and clear tactical identities, clubs without the deepest pockets can still defy gravity and sting teams with far greater resources. Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Cremonese and Elche may not all last the distance – but each has proven that even in an age of concentrated power, football still allows room for the impossible. And that, perhaps more than anything, is why the game keeps us watching.