With the summer transfer window in full flow and the Premier League 2017/18 season drawing closer, we thought we’d take a look at the relegation candidates at this early stage and see if they can prove our prediction wrong with a shrewd summer of transfer business.
Below are six teams who will be early favourites to struggle this coming season. Be sure to check out best betting sites to see what’s on offer!
Swansea
Paul Clement’s Premier League inexperience showed at times in his debut season in the league, but the apprentice to the likes of Carlo Ancelotti came up with the goods in the end as the Swans secured Premier League status with a decent end to the campaign. Keeping hold of key men will be vital for Clement, although early noise coming out of the Liberty suggests star man Gylfi Sigurdsson will be departing the club, a player who’s arguably irreplaceable. Should he go, it’ll be an uphill task for the Swans.
Crystal Palace
With the departure of relegation hater Sam Allardyce, Palace look like another side who’s future is hard to predict. Even under the reliable Big Sam they stuttered and only just managed to stay up, so with him departing, alongside the solid and reliable Sakho, who’s returned to Liverpool after a loan spell with the club, the steel has gone with it and the uncertainty has returned for the Eagles.
Brighton
The likeable Chris Houghton returns to the Premier League with a point to prove after a less than successful stint in charge of Newcastle United at this level before. Brighton have momentum and, essentially, nothing to lose, but do they possess the quality? That remains to be seen, although in Anthony Knockaert they have a player brimming with confidence who loves to beat a man. A few eye-catching additions will certainly help their cause though. Regardless, it’s going to be a tough season for the Albion but they’ll certainly enjoy it after the incredible journey they’ve been on.
Burnley
Due to budgetary constraints Burnley will always be relegation candidates, but as they’ve proven before they thrive under the pressure and love the underdog tag that so many give them. Sean Dyche certainly needs to add to his squad over the summer or risk stagnating and getting drawn into a fight to stay in the country’s top division, but, as always with the Clarets, can they attract the required talent?
Watford
Another manager gone and another summer of upheaval at Watford. It’s simply how they operate. What it does do is make them an unknown quantity pretty much every season. Sooner or later the Pozzo family will get it wrong, which will result in the club losing their top flight status though. With squad unrest reported and a shaky finish to last season, meaning they’re going into the new campaign out of form and low on confidence, the Hornets could certainly struggle in 2017/18.
Huddersfield
Huddersfield Town’s promotion to the biggest league in the world was one of the more heart-warming stories of recent times, simply because it wasn’t expected and their budget wasn’t geared towards even a top 10 finish in the Championship, let alone a play-off final win. It’ll be a big ask for David Wagner’s side to stay up and many will pick them as their first team to go down, but the Terriers won’t mind. Town are undoubtedly in for a busy summer, with a huge step-up coming, but they probably can’t wait to get started. The Premier League might prove too much for Huddersfield but they’ll give it a good crack, that’s for sure.