TOP 5 Premier League Underdog Stories of the Last 10 Years – How These Teams Beat the Betting Odds

Everyone loves an underdog story. Especially if you are a neutral spectator of the game. You always have that small hope that they will put up a good fight against the odds-on favorite, if not outright win the game. 

There is a reason why we want to experience that feeling – it’s rare for the underdog to actually upset the favourite. That’s why their betting odds of winning the game are so high.

But when it happens the stories are always spectacular. Last minute goals to tie a lost game, upsets that decide who goes to the Champions League and who doesn’t, but the most exciting ones are when something almost impossible happens. 

Of course, some sort of upset happens almost every week, but how often does a first-timer in the Premier League finish top 10 in their debut season? 

In this Betinum article we will give you 5 of the best Premier League underdog stories of the last 10 years.

Sit back and relive those spectacular moments one more time! 

#1. Leicester City (2015 – 16) – Possibly the Greatest Football Cinderella story 

We are starting strong with possibly the greatest football fairy tale ever told. Leicester City began the 2015 – 16 season as 5000/1 outsiders to win the Premier League. 

All of the football predictions were against them. The bookmakers provided the odds just out of formality, no one expected them to do anything spectacular. Fans were even wondering if the team can even keep its spot in the Premier League.

After all, they narrowly avoided relegation the previous year.

But with Claudio Ranieri at the helm and a team built on a budget, but statistically and tactically sound, the Foxes stunned the world.

Jamie Vardy scored 24 goals and provided 5 assists in 36 appearances. He also set a Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive matches.

The creativity and technical skills of Riyad Mahrez: were pivotal to the organisation of Leicester’s attack. He contributed 17 goals and 10 assists. 

In the center of it all was the midfielder N’Golo Kanté, who made 175 tackles and 156 interceptions, leading the league in both categories. 

It wasn’t a one time match upset. Leicester didn’t just beat the odds, they crushed all mathematical predictions made against them.

This tale still inspires fans around the world and gives hope to underdogs! 

#2 Newcomer finishing strong – Sheffield United (2019 – 20)

Sheffield United entered the 2019 – 20 Premier League season with one of the lowest budgets in the Premier League. Their team was composed of players that have almost exclusively played in the Championship. 

Experts were doubting their defensive style of play – thinking that wouldn’t last against top caliber teams.

But under manager Chris Wilder, Sheffield was going to upset a lot of bookmaker odds. Still the experienced football tipsters knew what the team was capable of and helped their clients profit from the results of the club from “Bramall Lane”.

The cornerstone of their success was a formidable defense, conceding only 39 goals in 38 matches – averaging just over one goal per game. They beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. 

Their innovative tactics, including the use of overlapping centre-backs, were instrumental in the team’s impressive performance.

#3 AI Helping the Underdog – The Story of Brentford

When you are an underdog trying to survive in the same league as Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and the likes, you need all the help you can get.

And in the case of Brentford, that was AI and data analytics.

They implemented the new technologies in player recruitment and match strategies. Adopting a “Moneyball” approach, they emphasized statistical analysis to identify undervalued talent.

Utilizing machine learning algorithms, Brentford analyzed vast datasets of players from lesser known leagues and teams. 

A notable example of this strategy’s success is the acquisition of Neal Maupay from Saint-Étienne. Identified through his impressive xG statistics relative to playing time, Maupay was signed for a modest fee and went on to score 41 goals over two seasons.

This holistic application of AI and data analytics has allowed Brentford to compete effectively against wealthier clubs. This demonstrates that strategic innovation can level the playing field in the Premier League. 

#4 The No-nonsense Football Of Burnley (2017 – 18)

Even though they are now in the Championship, ​Burnley’s 2017 – 18 Premier League campaign was a masterclass in maximizing results through disciplined, pragmatic football.

Fundamentals matter, and they are the core of a team’s game. Advanced analytics and complex tactics pale when compared to the basics of the game. 

Operating with a modest budget, manager Sean Dyche implemented a straightforward yet effective strategy, leading the Clarets to a 7th-place finish and securing European qualification for the first time in over half a century.

#5 Brighton & Hove Albion (2022 – 23) – The Steady Rise of the Seagulls 

Everyone thought their wings were cut short when they lost their manager Graham Potter early in the 2022 – 23 season. All of the football tips were against them and even the fans were doubting them.

#5 Brighton & Hove Albion (2022 – 23) – The Steady Rise of the Seagulls 

Everyone thought their wings were cut short when they lost their manager Graham Potter early in the 2022 – 23 season. All of the football tips were against them and even the fans were doubting them.

Instead, under Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton & Hove Albion achieved a historic 6th-place finish in the Premier League. This secured them Europa League qualification for the first time in their history.

Their main strength was their attack. Over the Premier League season, they netted 72 goals. In comparison, the 3rd-placed team Manchester United scored only 58. 

This remarkable season not only defied expectations but also signaled the emergence of Brighton as a formidable force in English football.

Underdog Stories – Closing Thoughts

These five stories show us that in the Premier League the richest clubs don’t always win. 

Whether it’s tactical genius, AI innovation, player scouting, willpower or mentality, underdogs have – and will continue to – upset the odds on many occasions.

But were everyone surprised by the rise of those teams? Not exactly.

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