Every year we see a number of teams leap forward in an unexpected manner, shunning their preseason tag of “mid-table mediocrity” or “relegation fodder.”
This campaign has been no different, and no less than seven teams are pulling up trees in the top halves of their respective table at the quarter-mark for the season.
Here, Discount Football Kits predicts how far each of the prime “surprise” teams can go this year.
Southampton
In preseason, we here at DFK picked Southampton as a clear contender for European football. The question wasn’t whether or not they’d finish in the top half—that was assured—but whether they could trouble the likes of Everton for 7th place.
They’ve started superbly, and their dominant 2-0 win over Fulham in October highlighted the overwhelming class difference between a side on the up and a side likely to be fighting relegation in 2014.
They have a deep squad, with the likes of Jack Cork and Maya Yoshida hardly being used, and boast a starting XI that can trouble any side. They play with no fear, have adopted a ruthless streak in their game and represent an excellent watch.
Prediction: 8th
Roma
Roma crowned a glorious start to the season on October 31st with a 1-0 win over Chievo at the Stadio Olimpico. It marked their 10th win from 10 games, breaking Serie A records for the best possible start in the league’s history.
Rudi Garcia’s men have conceded just one goal during that time, resting on Medhi Benatia and his incredibly stingy defence, and despite losing Francesco Totti to injury have continued to find ways to win.
All the preseason Scudetto talk was about Juventus and Napoli, but now Roma have rightly entered the conversation. Can they maintain this form over the course of the season? Probably not, but they’re in with an excellent shot of taking the big boys all the way.
Prediction: 2nd
Hellas Verona
The Verona story has been one for the football romantics this season, as a historic club so close to being wound up (or merged with fierce rivals Chievo) is now back in Italy’s top fight.
They took a sensible approach to the summer transfer window—far from the scattergun approach the likes of Sassuolo and Sunderland took—and reigniting the timeless Luca Toni’s career was a genius move.
Verona’s current position of 5th won’t stick—they won’t remain above Fiorentina and AC Milan—and they should gracefully fall down the table into a more regular, mediocre spot.
Still, what a fantastic job Maurizio Setti is doing.
Prediction: 15th
Athletic Club
Also a preseason pick of DFK’s to excel, Athletic Club are currently on the up under Ernesto Valverde.
They’re formidable at home, and since the New San Mames has opened they’re yet to succumb to a loss in front of their ever-passionate home crowd.
Los Leones sit fifth in La Liga, shy of the fourth Champions League spot by goal difference to Villarreal, and are comprehensively outperforming Basque rivals Real Sociedad right now.
The players have all bought into Valverde’s strategy, they look happy, confident and can breach the elite if their away form improves.
Prediction: 4th
Arsenal
Arsenal are our fifth and final surprise package, as despite their current status as Premier League leaders, things were looking a lot less rosy just a few months ago.
Before the additions of Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini the Gunners were reeling, and the opening day loss to Aston Villa prompted some fans close to tears.
Flamini and Ozil have transformed this team in different ways: the former has brought leadership, drive and positional nous to the midfield, while the latter has buoyed the club to such an extent that everyone is playing out of their skins.
Now they’re difficult to gauge, as impressive as they are, they’re clearly a few key injuries away from flunking their top-four pursuit.
Prediction: 4th if reinforced, 5th if not
