With the Premier League survival rate for promoted teams standing at just over 50 per cent, at least one of this season’s newcomers is likely to enjoy only the briefest spell in the top flight.
Just three times in the last 22 campaigns have all three newly-promoted sides survived the drop, and it is hard to see that figure increasing this year.
Having lasted one season in their previous spell in the Premier League, Sheffield United are bet365’s 4/6 (1.67) favourites to succumb to the same fate this time out.
Chris Wilder’s modestly-assembled squad returned to the top flight with much the same personnel as clinched promotion from League One just two seasons before, and this summer’s shopping spree has done little to suggest they have the quality to rub shoulders with the elite.
Even runaway champions Norwich are priced at just 10/11 (1.91) to head straight back down, having surpassed all expectations last season thanks to Daniel Farke’s enterprising tactics and some shrewd bargain signings.
In contrast, play-off winners Aston Villa are relative 2/1 (3.00) outsiders to suffer the drop after spending well over £100 million in the transfer window this summer, although Fulham’s disastrous performance last season proves that money doesn’t guarantee success in the relegation battle.
GettyBurnley have provided a blueprint in how to establish yourself as a top-flight team over the last few years, although they are priced at just 15/8 (2.88) to fall back through the trap door after a difficult season and lack of transfer window investment.
Brighton replaced Chris Hughton with the relatively untested Graham Potter after finishing just two points above the relegation zone last campaign, and are a 15/8 (2.88) shot to see that gamble result in relegation.
However, that doesn’t compare to Rafael Benitez’s controversial departure from Newcastle and subsequent replacement by former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, who is priced at just 9/4 (3.25) to make himself even less popular by taking them into the second tier.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
