Premier League 21/22: Five Tips for Relegation This Season
Unsurprisingly, like most seasons past, the three promoted teams from the EFL Championship dominate the relegation odds for the Premier League in the 2021/22 season. Here we take a look at the battle for survival with a focus on newly promoted Norwich, Watford & Brentford; in addition to assessing which established Premier League sides may find themselves in a relegation scrap this season.
Norwich City – Daniel Farke’s Canaries stormed the EFL Championship last season winning the league convincingly, 10 points clear of second placed Brentford. Despite this, this season promises to be a real battle for survival. Norwich have bolstered their squad with the signing and arrival of Chelsea man Billy Gilmour. Marquee signings like these along with a good season for talisman Teemu Pukku (who scored 26 goals last season) both appear to be absolutely vital for Norwich if they are to have any chance of escaping the drop come May. Current odds for the Canaries to finish bottom can be found at Netbet where they are priced at 3/1.
Watford – Bookmakers, pundits nor Hornets fans will be surprised to see them featuring with short odds in the relegation market for the coming season. A distinct lac of summer transfer activity and with a relegation from the Premier League in the 19/20 season are both factors. It’s generally considered that Watford will need to be astute in the loan market in the coming season & have luck with injuries (or lack thereof) due to such a poor squad depth. The Hornets can be bet on at Netbet to finish bottom at a price of 3/1.
Brentford – The Bees won promotion for the first time since the Premier League rebranded in 1992. The promotion does not come as a surprise though, with the previous 4 seasons all seeing Brentford go close to the promise land before ultimately falling by the hands of the play-offs or slipping outside the 6 towards the end of the season. To stay up at the first time of asking though remains a tough ask. The Bees will be heavily reliant on Ivan Toney making the step up – and his goals simply must not dry up if they are to find themselves still in the top flight come the 22/23 season. New signings are also required to add depth & quality. Netbet currently have Brentford price at 9/2 to finish bottom of the Premier League.
So, that’s the newly promoted sides summarised in terms of survival chances and betting odds. Now lets take a look at two dark horses for relegation this season.
Crystal Palace – The Eagles parted company with Roy Hodson after he announced his retirement at the end of last season and replaced him with Patrick Viera. Viera has nowhere near the same levels of experience as he predecessor and the bookies have coupled this along with Palace’s struggles last season to make their relegation odds very short indeed. On the basis that the Eagles struggled last season with Hodgson at the helm, it doesn’t take much convincing to realise they are in for a long hard season. Priced generously at 6/1 at Netbet to finish bottom of the league, Palace might be worth a bet.
Burnley – It could certainly be argued that the Clarets have been over achieving in recent seasons under the strong guidance of Sean Dyche. Despite this, during last season it became evident as the season went on that squad depth was an issue for Burnley and with finances a little tight after the pandemic, it seems likely Burnley may have to make do with loan signings this summer. Former Leicester striker Chris Wood has scored 46 goals in 127 appearances for the Clarets and his goals will be mission critical for them in the 21/22 season; should these dry up Burnley will almost certainly go down. You can currently get odds of 7/1 on Burnley to finish bottom with Netbet.