Most of Europe’s top clubs are, as usual, leading the way in their own countries. Barcelona and Real Madrid lead La Liga, Manchester United are top in England and Inter and A.C. Milan are fighting it out at the summit of Serie A. But the emergence of some lesser-known, lesser-fancied and lesser-financed teams have arguably been the stories of the season so far.
Who would have thought at the start of the season that Montpellier would be challenging for Ligue 1, lowly Bursaspor could be about to win their first Turkish title, or that Nottingham Forest could soon promoted to the Premier League?
Sport.co.uk picks ten clubs that are currently performing above expectations.
Bursa who?
There was a whiff of a shock in the air in Turkey earlier this season as little Kayserispor threatened to challenge for the title, but while they have faltered slightly, Bursaspor have taken up the mantle.
Bursaspor, who only rejoined Turkey’s Süper Lig in 2006, are giving the usual contenders a run for their money this season. Placed in third, two points off the lead with two games in hand, the team based in the north-western industrial city of Bursa have beaten both of their closest rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, including a 3-2 win away to Fener in Istanbul.
The ‘Green Crocs’ success has been based on organisation and teamwork and their ability to spread the goals around rather than relying on one goalscorer. But some individuals have stood out. Argentinean striker Pablo Martin Batalla has been impressive, as has fan’s favourite and Turkish forward Sercan Yildirim and the rapidly improving Ozan Ipek.
While Galatasaray may have the likes of Elano and Arda Turan and Fenerbahce have Dani Güiza and Diego Lugano, the modest names at Bursaspor could be about to produce one of the biggest shocks in Turkish football history.
Montpellier to break big two’s dominance?
When you think of the dominance of Lyon and emergence of Bordeaux in recent years in the French league, it is surprising to see lesser-known Montpellier sandwiched between the two heavyweights.
The club which helped to set Laurent Blanc and Eric Cantona on their way to stardom was promoted to Ligue 1 only last year. It is even more remarkable considering the coach who guided them to promotion, Rolland Courbis left at the end of the season.
Former France Under-21 coach, Rene Girard, has taken over the helm, however, and has guided his modest squad towards the top of the table.
Their form has been based on a solid defence, a good home record and a surprising lack of draws. Girard’s team has drawn only four times in 27 matches and this has been enough to lift Montpellier to second in the table despite their seven losses.
The team is based on a collective notion rather than individuals, although Croatian defender Emir Spahic has shone and Colombian striker Victor Montano has stood out scoring 9 goals in 27 league games.
It looks a tall order for Montpellier, but while the pressure is on the more established names, they have nothing to lose in giving it a go.
Braga aim higher
Sporting Braga are usually fighting it out for one of Portugal’s European places, but this season they are aiming to go one step further and win the league for the first time.
Braga have split the ‘big three’ and currently find themselves placed in second, three points behind leaders Benfica and eight points above Porto in third.
Porto, having sold their two most influential payers Lucho González and Lisandro López in the summer have had a torrid time in the league, despite making it to the knockout round of the Champions League.
Sporting, meanwhile are playing second fiddle once again to their city rivals Benfica, and are well off the pace in fourth.
Braga, a very organised team, are largely dependent on their Brazilian contingent which numbers 13, and they also rely heavily on their defence, particularly at home, having conceded only three goals in 11 home matches.
Although the ‘Arsenalistas’ may not play like their namesakes, their defensive approach is just as effective, and may be enough to spring a surprise come the end of the season.
‘Wally with the brolly’ not too bad after all
When Steve McClaren quit England’s national team, few in his own country were sorry to see him go having failed to qualify the Three Lions for Euro2008, but his success with Manchester United and Middlesbrough is proving to be anything but a flash in the pan as he is making a resurgence in Holland.
The man named “the wally with the brolly” by the British press has taken FC Twente to the top of the table after guiding them to second least season, and he could be set to claim the club’s first league title.
A front three of top scorer Bryan Ruiz, Blaise Nkufo and Miroslav Stoch - on-loan from Chelsea - is proving to be a masterstroke. With experienced midfielder Kenny Perez and emerging talent Wout Brama in midfield and a solid defence, McClaren seems to have the balance just right.
FC Twente’s record this season is impressive having lost only once - away to Ajax – and they have only drawn four times. With away games against PSV and AZ still to come though, Twente may be in for a rocky last few months.
Life is rosy for the Rosaneri
Palermo, led by the experienced manager Delio Rossi, have quietly crept into contention for Italy’s fourth Champions League place.
Usual contenders: Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio have all had disappointing seasons to date in the league and Palermo have made the most of the opportunity.
The Sicilians have put in some impressive performances including 2-0 away wins to Juventus and A.C Milan and they suddenly find themselves in the driving seat in the race for fourth.
Added to the fruitful front pairing of experienced captain Fabrizio Miccoli and Edison Cavani, Palermo have exciting young talent in the form of Danish defender Simon Kjaer, Uruguayan midfielder Javier Pastore and his fellow countryman Abel Hernandez in attack.
With big clubs sniffing around much of this talent, a place in the Champions League could be essential to keeping their young stars at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, and with the failings of others, who would bet against them reaching this goal.
Leverkusen return to the big time
Bayer Leverkusen, one-time Champions League finalists, have been out of the Bundesliga title-race in recent years, but this season they are making things difficult for Bayern Munich, who, as always, were hotly tipped to run away with the title.
Bayer sit three points behind Bayern in third place and they are very much in contention to win their first league title having come extremely close on a number of other occasions - which has seen them be dubbed “Neverkusen”.
The 14 goals of Steffan Kiessling have been key to their turn in fortune, as has 36 year-old defender Sami Hyypia. Their experienced manager, Jupp Heynckes has been there before and will hope to install a winning mentality to finally end the northern team’s curse and replicate Wolfsburg’s feat last season.
Islanders making a big impression
Mallorca have been settled in La Liga’s mid-table for the last few seasons, but a complete turnaround in fortunes has seen them in contention for a European place come May.
The Balearic side had been placed fourth until Sevilla regained their form, and it looks set to be a fight between the Balearic side and the Andalucians for the coveted fourth spot. Deportivo and Athletic Bilbao are also not far behind, however, and could capitalise on any slip-ups.
Mallorca have only lost once at home, but still have the top three to play on their own patch. It is the record against the top four which could ultimately be their undoing. In five games against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla they have only picked up one point.
Aritz Aduriz is their top scorer with eight goals, but it is their experienced defence that has helped them to fifth with nine clean sheets - the most in La Liga.
It would be a big ask, but Gregorio Manzano’s team could just make it to Europe’s elite competition for only the second time in its history.
Forest pulling up trees in quest to return to top flight
Nottingham Forest, a famous name in European football after their European Cup wins in 1979 and 1980 have found themselves languishing in the lower reaches of England’s second tier in the past few years.
This season, however, things have changed. Former Preston and Derby manager, Billy Davies, spent £6 million in the summer to put together a team of relatively modest names, but it has worked, and his players are now challenging for promotion to the Premier League.
A run of five straight wins in 18 unbeaten matches and wins over fellow promotion candidates Newcastle, and West Bromwich Albion has seen them lifted to third in the table, just two points behind West Bromwich Albion in the second automatic promotion slot.
The front pairing of Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw have hit it off, scoring 11 goals apiece, while goalkeeper Lee Camp, defender Wes Morgan and midfielder Chris Cohen have performed well.
Forest may be back in the big time sooner than they thought.
Gunners firing once more
Arsenal are always in with a chance of winning the Premier League, but heading into this season the North London club were tipped to be the team to drop out of the top four positions.
Big spending Manchester City, well-organised Aston Villa and erratic Tottenham were all tipped to challenge the Gunners for the final Champions League spot.
Heavy losses to Manchester United and Chelsea both at home and away and a major injury to striker Robin Van Persie saw the Gunners all but ruled out of the title race by mid-January, nine points adrift of the leaders.
Arsenal have since regained form, however, and they are now placed just two points behind Manchester United in first. With an easier run-in on paper than their two closest rivals they could now arguably be favourites.
Captain, Cesc Fabreags has been the key player scoring 14 goals and making 15 assists in 28 matches, while defender Thomas Vermaelen has arguably been the signing of the season and the vastly improved Alex Song has added much-needed steel in midfield.
Arsenal fans are suddenly regaining the faith.
Brummies exceeding expectations
Birmingham City, one of England’s perennial yo-yo clubs, may have finally consolidated themselves in the top flight.
With Carson Yeung’s millions available, Birmingham spent wisely if not excessively in the summer, to build a solid squad capable primarily of avoiding relegation.
Record signing Christian “Chucho” Benitez is proving to be a hit alongside the burly Cameron Jerome. A solid midfield and defence including the likes of Lee Bowyer, Scott Dann and Liam Ridgwell and England’s promising goalkeeper Joe Hart in goal, has kept them in the top half of the table for most of the season.
Birmingham could be an outside bet for a European place, which would be a considerable coup in their first season back in the top flight, and the credit will go to their manager Alex McLeish who has assembled an impressive squad that looks set to become more than a one season wonder.
Many of the surprise packages this season are based on teamwork rather than individual brilliance, something that even money can’t buy. But each team has a different style, proving that to be successful there is no set rule or tactic.
With the millions on offer and legendary status their players will receive if these teams reach their goals, this season could be a defining one for many of these clubs, however unexpected.
With few games left, the pressure really is now on.