We have covered the top of the Premier League ahead of the new season and now it is time to look at the other end of it. Three sides will be relegated at the end of the season and in this preview we will look at who that might be.
The Favourites
Huddersfield Town are odds on favourites to go down. The last three Championship play-off winners have been relegated the following season so history is not on the side of the Terriers as they embark on their first ever Premier League campaign. Huddersfield will go down but I’m no odds on backer over nine months.
Burnley are the second favourites to go down even though they stayed up quite comfortably last season. Since then they have lost Andre Gray and Michael Keane and haven’t really replaced either although there is still time for that. They are 13/10 to go down.
Brighton & Hove Albion go into their first Premier League season as the 13/10 joint second favourites to go down. Chris Hughton has managed in the Premier League before but not with too much success. He has signed players but he hasn’t splashed the cash that he might have needed to which is a concern.
Watford are 2/1 to go down and while nothing would give me more pleasure than for that to happen I have to admit, through seriously gritted teeth, that Marco Silva as manager and the host of signings he has made should see them absolutely fine.
The Contenders
Swansea City almost went last season and without Gylfi Sigurdsson standing out for them they could easily go this time around although Paul Clement has been smart enough to ensure his side don’t sell the Icelandic ace without sufficient time to replace him. In fairness they’ve known for months he won’t be there for much longer but even so 3/1 could appeal.
Newcastle United bounced back to the Premier League at the first time of asking but they are only 9/2 to head back to where they came from at the earliest opportunity. A lack of spending is a worry and we know they are not too good to go down.
Crystal Palace were another who nearly went last season and they are only 11/2 to go this time around. Frank de Boer is expected to come in and see them safe without any issues but they are another who haven’t gone mad with signings and if they start badly I wonder if a new manager to the league will have the knowhow to get them out of trouble.
Outsiders
West Brom were almost safe by Christmas last season and while they should have enough to comfortably survive this time around they do have an aging defence and if they struggle at the other end of the pitch this could be a long season.
It could also be a tough season for Stoke City who have signed nobody of note and lost two key players in Marko Arnautovic and Jon Walters. There is still time for Mark Hughes to strengthen his squad but this is a side renowned for starting slow and this time if they begin slowly they might not have the quality to turn things around.
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Betting
I’m pretty certain Huddersfield and Brighton will go down this season. Huddersfield’s high press is begging to be taken to the cleaners and Brighton don’t look to have nearly enough goals in them. Who the other side will be is a different story but for me the value lies with Newcastle.
If Rafael Benitez stays all season then they might well be fine but I’m not convinced he will do and that has to be a concern for their chances. He is clearly frustrated with the lack of intent in the transfer market and I would not be surprised if he walks in September. If he does Newcastle could really struggle unless someone like Sam Allardyce comes out of retirement to save them. Even then he’s unlikely to return there. At 9/2 they could well go down.
I also think it is worth a punt on Brighton to finish bottom. Chris Hughton sides just do not score goals and the two sides he has managed in the Premier League – Newcastle and Norwich – both have struggled and they were bigger and probably better equipped than Brighton. Huddersfield will lose plenty of matches but they’ll score goals so can pick up enough wins to finish above Brighton who to me look doomed before it has begun.
Tips
Back Newcastle to be relegated for a 2/10 stake at 5.50 with BetVictor
Back them here:
Back Brighton to finish bottom for a 2/10 stake at 6.50 with William Hill
Back them here:
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