World Football's 10 Fastest Starters Who Have Faded This Season

Some teams in World Football have gotten off to fast starts but have faded in recent weeks.

Whether its been injuries, various players losing form or having to come up against tougher opponents, these teams have all faltered.

There are various reasons why these teams got off to fast starts. New players, new tactics and just being better prepared can provide advantages for these teams.

After a few games, though, the novelties can wear off and lead to a few bad results for the side.

Here are some teams who have faded after a fast start this season.

Swansea

Form

First five games: WWWDL

Last five games: WLDWL

Results in bold signify cup games.

After scoring eight goals and picking up seven points out of nine in their first three Premier League games of the season, Swansea has only picked up four points out of a possible 12.

The Welsh club still look well-set to stay in the league with talents like Michu and Leon Britton in the side, but things don't get much easier with an away trip to Anfield and a visit from Chelsea in their next two games.

West Bromwich Albion

Form

First five games: WDWWL

Last five games: LDWLL

Results in bold signify cup games.

West Bromwich Albion had a similar start to Swansea with two wins and a draw in its first three games.

Just like the small Welsh club, though, a loss in their fifth game signaled a turn in events and the Baggies have a similar return of only four points from a possible 12.

Everton

Form

First five games: WWWLD

Last five games:  LWDDD

Results in bold signify cup games.

It may be strange to say that Everton has faded considering they are in fifth position in the Premier League, but its their results we are looking at.

Three draws and a loss—which knocked the Toffees out of the Capital One Cup—in their last five games is a great contrast to how the club started the season.

Sevilla

Form

First five games: WDDWW

Last four games:  LLWL

No cup games included.

Sevilla's dramatic loss to Barcelona kick-started a poor run of form that has seen the side pick up only three points out of a possible 12.

Still, the club is only two points outside a Europa League spot and three points outside a Champions League position with plenty of time and the necessary quality to solidify a position high up the table.

Mallorca

Form

First five games: WDWDW

Last four games:  LLLL

No cup games.

Mallorca's recent run of form is partly down to its defensive struggles as the club has allowed 11 goals in four games compared to three during its first five games.

This loss of form has left the club in the middle of the table where clubs eight through 15 are separated by only three points.

Sampdoria

Form

First five games: WWWDD

Last four games: LLLL

No cup games.

Sampdoria kept pace with the likes of Juventus as well as Napoli and were sitting pretty in the Serie A standings at the start of the season.

Four straight losses have knocked the Italian club down to twelfth place and it gets no easier with a trip to an in-form Inter side.

Borussia Dortmund

Form

First five games: WWDWW

Last five games: DDLWW

Results in bold signify cup games.

Borussia Dortmund's good start to the season included progression in the German Cup and an opening win in the Champions League group of death.

The German side has been somewhat steady since then, but dropped points to Schalke and Hannover 96 stand out despite solid results against Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The fact that the two-time Bundesliga champions sit fourth, nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, speaks volumes about their recent domestic form.

Hannover 96

Form

First five games: WWWWD

Last five games: WDLWL

Results in bold signify cup games.

While Hannover 96's good start to the season can be attributed to lots of firepower offensively—having scored two goals in each of its first five games—things have slowed down a bit.

The club is thriving in Europe, as the wins in the last five games point out, but continue to drop points at the domestic level.

An overall record of three wins, two draws and four losses has them tenth in the 18-team league table.

Marseille

Form

First five games: DWWWW

Last five games: LWDLL

Results in bold signify cup games.

Marseille was unbeaten in domestic and European play until a heavy loss to Valenciennes at the end of September.

That loss began the club's last five-game stretch and as you can see the results haven't been good. Despite that, and the fact that they've played one less game, Marseille is still third in Ligue 1 and have a big game against Paris Saint-Germain to prepare for this weekend.

Lorient

Form

First five games: DWDWW

Last five games:  DDDLD

No cup games.

Lorient started off its season by picking up 11 points out of 15 and that's down to some great play by explosive attacker Alain Traore.

The last five games have been dismal in comparison with only four points picked up in a similar number of games. The French club has let in 10 goals in its last two games.