Assessing the Premier League Relegation Odds with Betting Experts mybettingsites.com/ie

Last season’s relegation battle was just as thrilling as the Premier League title race with Burnley and Leeds taking the fight down to the final day before the Clarets eventually succumbed to the drop. Watford and Norwich, meanwhile, continued their yo-yo-ing between the Premier League and the Championship.

But how does the relegation picture look this time around? Football Talk, together with the betting experts at mybettingsites.com/ie, assess the odds of the prime relegation candidates ahead of the new campaign.

Likely struggle ahead for the newcomers

The fact that at least one newly-promoted side has finished below the dotted line in all but three seasons of the Premier League just goes to show the task facing Premier League newcomers Bournemouth (4/7),  Nottingham Forest (10/11) and Fulham (6/5).

Bournemouth’s lack of significant transfer activity thus far is no doubt a cause of concern for Cherries supporters and a big reason why they lead the relegation odds. While it’s true they have time to add to their ranks, a lack of all-round quality will surely make it difficult for Scott Parker to avoid another managerial relegation.

Parker’s old club Fulham – seeking to learn from past mistakes, notably, splurging over €100 million on a whole new team only to ultimately go down in 2019 – are being more cautious this time around. The Cottagers have so far signed Joao Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon and agreed on a deal for Andreas Pereira. To add, if Alexander Mitrovic can score just a third of the goals he scored in the Championship last term, then Fulham may have half a chance.

Nottingham Forest, back among England’s elite for the first time in 23 years, have made some astute signings in Dean Henderson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Neco Williams and Omar Richards. Momentum is always key when a side comes up and Forest have that in abundance. Steve Cooper’s team certainly look the best equipped to mount a genuine survival bid out of the promoted sides.

Second-season syndrome for the Bees and what about Leeds?

Leeds (5/2) showed the dangers of second-season syndrome, surviving by the skin of their teeth on the last day. Quite how they’re going to cope with the departure of Kalvin Phillips and wantaway star Raphinha remains to be seen. 

A rebuild is underway: Jesse Marsch has been given funds to improve the squad, bolstering the ranks with no less than five new recruits by early July. However, without two mainstays of last season’s team, it’s clear why the bookies have Leeds down for another season of struggle.

Brentford (5/2) only have to look at Leeds to see how a solid first season in the Premier League counts for nothing. They too, like Leeds, are facing up to life minus a key cog of their team. Man United-bound, Cristian Eriksen was, for many Bees fans, the main reason Brentford stayed up with his mid-season arrival the spark for an impressive run of results post-Christmas.

Losing the influential Dane will undoubtedly impact Thomas Frank’s side. That said, if Ivan Toney can match or even better last season’s goal tally of 12, Brentford should overcome the curse of the second season reasonably comfortably.

Saints, Everton in the scrap, again?

The Jekyll and Hyde of the Premier League, Southampton (3/1), seem to flirt with the drop most years. Even a strong start to last season eventually resulted in a below-par 15th place finish (not helped by a run of 5 defeats from their last 6 games).

Whether or not Saints boss Ralph Hasenhüttl can find the consistency to keep his team clear of the drop zone will determine Southampton’s season and, possibly, his own position – the Austrian is the favourite to lose his job in the Sack Race.

Sitting behind Ralph in that particular race is one Frank Lampard. His Everton team (5/1 to go down with some bookies) came almighty close to losing their top-flight status last time out. You’d think they can’t be anywhere near as bad a season as they’ve just had and the signing of James Tarkowski is a very good one.

But with leading marksman Richarlison gone, another sticky season could well be on the cards.

*All odds accurate as of 11th July