The eve of the Premier League season has dawned on us which gives us a little bit of time to focus on some of the other markets in play over the course of the season. I’ll start with the relegation market.
Whenever sides come up from the Championship into the Premier League they are always facing a tough task to stay up. Two of the three who came up last season went straight back down and with a number of sides in or around the relegation mix last season changing their manager late on they might well improve this season which will make it harder for promoted clubs to survive.
That is reflected in the odds as the three favourites to go down are the three sides who were promoted last season. I have to admit I fear for Watford and Bournemouth this season but I fancy Norwich’s recent Premier League campaigns might stand them in good stead to know what to expect and to survive although there might not be much in it.
Bournemouth are going to be exciting to watch this season. I fancy them to score plenty of goals but I would expect them to concede a fair few too. The Cherries have reinforced their defensive stock but a lot of their signings in that area have been from the Championship so they will all need to improve. I do like their forward Callum Wilson and I think he’s got goals in them, as his team have behind him, but keeping them out is likely to be a significant issue.
Watford were going through managers like they grew on trees last season but eventually that ruthless plan paid dividends as they got the second automatic promotion place. Since then another manager has gone and they will be under the guidance of Quique Sanchez Flores for the start of this campaign at least.
They’ve made a few signings but they are going to need to score a substantial amount if they want to survive and I don’t see it. Watford are a bit short to tip up to stay up but at just under 3/1 they could be a fair price to finish bottom of the pile in what looks like being a tricky campaign for the new boys.
I think those two will both go down and one other side will follow them so that gives us a chance to look for a side who are a bit of value as an alternative to Norwich.
The market suggests Sunderland are the most likely side to drop out and having had a couple of close escapes it is hard to argue with that but Dick Advocaat made a positive impact when he took over there and it might be that he has the nous to keep them in the division.
Aston Villa are priced as one of the favourites to go down but Tim Sherwood has some money to spend after the sales of Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke and I think he will keep them up while Tony Pulis will build on the job he started at West Brom.
That leaves Leicester who I actually think will be the other side to go. They looked doomed for much of last season but then Esteban Cambiasso and Nigel Pearson inspired them to safety. The problem with that is neither are at the King Power Stadium anymore. Sacking Pearson after everything the owners defended him through last season was strange. To replace him with Claudio Ranieri on the face of it looks bonkers and they could pay the price for it.
Ranieri’s track record in recent times hasn’t been great and I can’t say any of the signings they have made particularly enthuse me so I suspect this could be a long season for Leicester. At 3/1 they’re good value for the drop this season along with the two promoted sides.
Back Watford to finish bottom for a 2/10 stake at 3.80 with Ladbrokes
Back Leicester to beat relegated for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with BetVictor
I have a feeling that Watford will shock many, and manage to stay clear of the bottom. Well, that is what i think anyway. Nevertheless great post, make sure to keep up the good work. Also, be sure to check out my page for all of the latest football news and gossip.