With just over a quarter of the season completed, the 2024/25 English Premier League (EPL) table is starting to take shape. The battle at the bottom of the EPL looks set to be contested between seven teams this season, with anyone from Manchester United in 13th place and upwards almost certain to avoid becoming embroiled in the relegation dogfight.
As you might expect, three of the seven teams set to play in a mini relegation league of their own are the newly promoted teams from the EFL Championship. The EFL Championship’s playoff winners, Southampton, were available at a best price of 1/5 for relegation with Betfred around the time of the November international break. Those who think the Saints are worth the drop at that price can get the latest Betfred promo codes at Oddschecker to open an account and claim any bonus to put towards an EPL relegation picks.
However, it’s never guaranteed that the teams who come up from the second tier fall straight back down. The recent successes of Brighton, Brentford and AFC Bournemouth are proof of this. Brighton are one of the biggest success stories of the Premier League’s modern era, capturing the imagination of viewers who tune in from overseas to watch the EPL.
This article is designed to shine a spotlight on three sides that may feel the heat from the newly promoted teams this season, potentially culminating in their own EPL demise.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are in big trouble. After 11 games, the Eagles sit third-bottom in the EPL with seven points to their name. They’ve won just once and lost more than half (six) of their fixtures. The biggest issue for Palace has been their distinct lack of goals. Eight goals scored in 11 games is a dismal output. Only Southampton have a poorer goals-scored tally, with seven goals.
What’s happened to the South London club? If you talk to any ardent Crystal Palace fan, they’ll tell you that recruitment has been decidedly average for too long. Losing the likes of Michael Olise and towering Danish centre half Joachim Andersen, and failing to adequately replace them, has been their undoing.
Eddie Nketiah was Palace’s big-money recruit this summer from Arsenal, joining for around £25 million up front, plus another £5 million in add-ons. Pound-for-pound, he’s delivered nothing as of yet, failing to get on the scoresheet while wearing Palace colours. Injuries to the likes of Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze and Matheus Franca de Oliveira don’t help either, while the future of head coach Oliver Glasner must surely be in jeopardy.
Everton
Everton are a club that’s flirted with relegation all too often in recent Premier League seasons. The Toffees’ financial issues have plagued their squad in the last couple of years, preventing them from rebuilding under boss Sean Dyche. They’ve had to stick with much of their existing squad to dig them out of a hole, but it’s not been easy.
Dyche is famed for creating a siege mentality among his playing staff and Everton are going to need more of the same to stay clear of the drop zone in 2024/25. Just ten points from their opening 11 games means they’re averaging less than a point per game, which could be terminal for their survival hopes come May.
Two teams below Everton – Ipswich and Wolves – have also scored more goals than the Toffees. This should worry Everton fans, especially if the Tractor Boys and Wanderers can tighten up at the back.
West Ham United
It’s not been a cakewalk for West Ham United either so far this season. Under new boss Julen Lopetegui, the Hammers have amassed 12 points from their first 11 games. They’ve won only three of those fixtures, losing five in the process. The likes of Ipswich have lost the same number of games as West Ham, which is another warning sign for Lopetegui.
West Ham did thrash Ipswich 4-1 at the London Stadium in October but have picked up just four points from their last four games. There have been murmurings of discontent surrounding Lopetegui’s dressing room influence, but West Ham’s board are famed for their loyalty and patience and will give the Spaniard time.
West Ham should have enough firepower and flair to avoid the drop, with the likes of Summerville, Kudus and Paqueta all box office players on their day. However, any lengthy injuries to this trio could severely stunt their creativity in the final third.
Although all three newly promoted teams failed to put up any kind of resistance last season, the likes of Leicester and Ipswich are giving teams plenty to think about this time round.
