Every season, the Premier League delivers drama. Some campaigns are all about domination from big clubs, the usual giants battling it out for silverware. But every now and then, something special happens. A team that was written off surprises everyone. These underdog tales are what make football so unforgettable. Let’s look back at some of the biggest overachievements and magical runs in Premier League history.
Backing the Underdogs
What makes a team an underdog anyway? In the Premier League, there are teams that spend billions on their squads, and this is no exaggeration.
This means that there can be teams with very long odds. They are not expected to win the league or even get into Europe. Sometimes teams are thought to be certs for relegation, but go on to surprise people. Some of these teams have done incredible things. Even managing to compete with teams that have a lot more cash to spend and better players is impressive.
Before the seasons start, there are always a lot of people who are looking to do some research and understand the best bets for the game. Using a betting calculator to do this research shows that the underdog stories often give the best returns for people if they can call them right.
Underdogs may be a betting option for players for individual games, too. People can go so far as to make long-shot calls on certain players and what they might do in the game, and combine them into a same-game combo to try and give longer odds.
Leicester City – The Impossible Dream (2015/16)
There’s no better place to start than Leicester City’s title win in 2015/16. The Foxes began the season as huge outsiders. Most people thought they’d be in a relegation scrap, just like the year before. But something clicked under Claudio Ranieri – he was not fancied to take the team to the levels that he did.
The squad wasn’t packed with big names, but it had heart, energy, and belief. Players like Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kanté turned into stars overnight. Leicester played fearless football, counter-attacking with pace and aggression, while defending like their lives depended on it. The likes of Robert Huth played out of their skins that season.
Week after week, they kept proving everyone wrong. Tottenham and Arsenal chased, but they couldn’t catch them. By May, the fairytale was complete. Leicester had won the Premier League. One of the greatest sporting upsets of all time, and one that a lot of people think will never be matched.
Blackburn Rovers – Champions in a New Era (1994/95)
Back in the mid-90s, Blackburn Rovers pulled off something incredible. The club had been rebuilt by Jack Walker’s investment and guided by Kenny Dalglish. It wasn’t quite the same as Leicester’s story, but it was still a major shock.
With Alan Shearer leading the line and Chris Sutton beside him, Blackburn weren’t just competing. They were winning. The title race went to the wire, but Rovers held off Manchester United and lifted the trophy on the final day.
It was the only time Blackburn would win the Premier League. In the modern era, with such tight competition, that single triumph still stands out. Especially with Blackburn struggling in the lower leagues.
Ipswich Town – From Promotion to Europe (2000/01)
In the 2000/01 season, newly-promoted Ipswich Town shocked everyone by finishing fifth. Most pundits had them tipped for relegation. Instead, George Burley’s side ended up qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
Their team wasn’t stacked with big names, but they were organised and played good football. Marcus Stewart scored goals for fun, and the whole squad chipped in. It didn’t last as the club was relegated the very next season. That one magical campaign still lives on in Premier League memories for Ipswich Town fans.
Sheffield United – Defying the Odds (2019/20)
This one might surprise some people. Freshly promoted and with one of the smallest budgets in the league, Sheffield United were expected to go straight back down. But under Chris Wilder, they became one of the most awkward teams to play against.
With overlapping centre-backs and relentless pressing, the Blades finished ninth and were in European contention at times. Bramall Lane was a fortress, and they caused problems for teams across the table. Not bad for a side that many had written off before a ball was kicked.
The Premier League is often seen as a playground for the rich. But these seasons prove there’s always room for surprise. Whether it’s a team that stays up against all odds or one that pushes for Europe unexpectedly, these stories add real flavour to the league.
Not every underdog tale ends in silverware. Sometimes, just survival or a top-half finish feels like a trophy. What they all have in common is great coaching and a group of players who buy into something bigger than themselves.
