3 teams that have surprised in the UEFA Europa League this season

The UEFA Europa League has seen a fair share of teams surprising during the current campaign

The 2017-18 version of the UEFA Europa League has not seen the end of the group stages yet. However, there are already some teams that are surprising everyone with their play and their results over the first few matches. Here are the three most surprising teams in the tournament so far:

FC Astana

Astana have emerged as the top team in the relatively unknown Kazakhstan Premier League, but are also becoming a force to be reckoned with on the European stage. Their recent results in the Europa League this season have confirmed it, as they have looked far better than expected in the group stage so far. Astana defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv twice and escaped with a draw against Slavia Prague, notching seven points across four matches. They sit in second place of Group A and even though they sit behind Villarreal, it's not far-fetched to see them reaching the next stage of the tournament.
No one expected Astana to be in contention for a spot in the next round of the Europa League. Slavia Prague and Maccabi Tel Aviv have far more European experience, but that has not mattered so far. Astana are on the verge of clinching a historical result for the team, but for that to happen they need to be at their best in their two remaining games against Villarreal (home) and Slavia (away). But even if they finish in third place, their performance has been impressive. And it's a good starting point for a team that could begin to make some noise sooner than later.

Ludogorets Razgrad

If we talk about Eastern Europe sides making noise in Europe, however, then we must mention what Ludogorets Razgrad have done at the continental stage over the last few years. The Bulgarian side have been one of the biggest surprises in the current Europa League campaign, and they sit in first place of Group C with eight points. They are yet to lose a single game, and it's not like their group is a walk in the park, either. They got squared with Sporting Braga (Portugal), Hoffenheim (German Bundesliga) and Basaksehir (Turkish Super League).
Based on the strength of the league, Ludogorets might have looked like the weaker side on paper. And if we take a look at each squad, then Ludogorets looked like the third-best team behind Hoffenheim and Braga. But they have surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. They have two games left - at home against Basaksehir and against Hoffenheim on the road - and they know one more win would secure them a spot in the next round. Can they clinch it?

Ostersunds FK

What Ludogorets and Astana have done certainly deserves praise. However, Ostersunds have been the most surprising team in the entire competition by a wide margin. And there could be an argument to say they have been the biggest surprise in the entire UEFA region during the 2017-18 season thus far. They got squared in Group J alongside FK Zorya Luhansk (Ukraine), Athletic Bilbao (Spain) and Hertha Berlin (Germany), but somehow they sit at the top of the standings with seven points after four matches.
Ostersunds' fate has not been decided yet. Considering there are only three points of distance between them and the last-placed team - Hertha Berlin - and two games left on the schedule, there's a chance they might not reach the next round. But so far they have turned heads with their displays in four matches. And if their recent performances are of any indication, we shouldn't rule them out of a potential knockout-stage berth. They have already proven they can perform against teams that are better than them on paper.