English Premier League relegation battle: Which clubs are most likely to struggle?

With the English Premier League season nearly upon us, it’s time to start thinking about which clubs will challenge for the trophy and perhaps more importantly for some, which will struggle.

While Manchester City and Liverpool remain as obvious title contenders, the battle to avoid relegation looms as an entertaining and very open one. 

After finishing second in the Championship last season to earn automatic promotion, Sheffield United return to the top-flight for the first time since 2007 and as it stands are the most likely club to drop down a division at season’s end going at odds of $1.72 to be relegated, according to Sportsbet. 

Norwich are next up with their potential relegation valued at $2, despite the fact they claimed the Championship title last season – accruing an impressive 94 points in the process. Finnish striker Teemu Pukki also bagged the competition’s golden boot after striking 29 times and if he can hit the ground running in the Premier League, the Canaries will back themselves to stay out of the bottom three. 

Having avoided the drop by just two points in their last campaign, Brighton are the third most likely club to be relegated from the Premier League with odds of $2.80. The Seagulls boast a new manager in the form of Graham Potter and reportedly broke their club record transfer fee to bring in defender Adam Webster. 

Aston Villa, Burnley and Newcastle are priced at $2.88 to be relegated with the trio of clubs all backed to find themselves at the wrong end of the table.

While only sealing their place back in the Premier League via a promotion play-off, Villa have not shied away on their return to the top-flight making over $200 million worth of signings over the off-season. Manager Dean Smith has brought in 12 new faces with Brazilian striker Wesley and English defender Tyrone Mings costing the most, while the signing of former Burnley keeper Tom Heaton should give them reliable cover between the sticks. 

Newcastle’s off-season has seen respected manager Rafa Benitez depart for China with the club only reluctantly splashing the cash on new players after losing Ayoze Perez and bringing in 22-year-old forward Joelinton for a huge fee. The arrival of Allan Saint-Maximin is also reason for some excitement but new manager Steve Bruce is still expected to have his hands full this season. 

After impressing last season following their promotion from the Championship, Wolverhampton have put real distance between themselves and a potential relegation scrap with their chances of being demoted dropping to $31 alongside Leicester City. 

Of the big six clubs, Arsenal are the only one given any real chance of possible relegation with the still seismic odds of $201 to be sent to the Championship at season’s end. All the other heavyweights are notable valued even further back at $501.

Odds correct at the time of publish. Please gamble responsibly. Check out the latest football odds at Sportsbet.