They may not be afraid, but maybe they should be. Betis and Girona are in a position to play in Europe. You may have never seen them play or recognize the names on the jerseys, but they aren't bad squads.
In the 25 years of the Premier League, there have been 6 different clubs that have won (Man U (13), Man C (2), Arsenal (3), Chelsea (5), Leicester (1) and Blackburn (1)). For the same span, there have been 5 different Spanish champions (Deportivo (1), Real (8), Atleti (2), Barca (12), and Valencia (2)). So basically the EPL has had one more fluke than in Spain. The big leagues are top heavy and with as much money that is now pouring in, I don't think that is going to change.
I know Liverpool fans will disagree, but without a Luis Garcia clearance and a Schevshenko sitter miss their last quarter century is less successful than Valencia (2 Leagues, 2 Cups, 2 CL finals - one lost on penalties). Man U just lost to Sevilla. Spurs are fun, but still Spurs when anything important comes along. Chelsea have talent, but look to be going into fire sale/phoenix mode. Arsenal are wandering in the wilderness at the moment.
Look, I like watching the EPL too. I just don't get the circle jerk that comes from its plaudits. Its almost like the SEC fans, if they had the relative success of the ACC. These things tend to ebb and flow. Just look at the Serie A now compared to 1990-2007.