Early Contenders for 20/21 Premier League Relegation Odds

The return to the Premier League for newly-promoted sides Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham, has proved to be a significant step up in quality. The Whites are the only side to have picked up three points, albeit against Fulham, not long before the Baggies squandered a 3-0 lead against Chelsea to leave the Hawthorns with just a point.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side provided an early slice of Premier League entertainment in their opener at Liverpool. Had it not been for Mohamed Salah’s late penalty, The Whites could’ve walked away with a point having gone behind and levelled the score on three occasions. They certainly look a team with undoubted quality going forward, and are encouraged to press in numbers in Bielsa’s 4-1-4-1 formation. However, their next game against fellow newcomers Fulham, again highlighted some concerns about defensive security, despite winning 4-3 this time.

However, with two wins from three and after beating two teams potentially fighting relegaiton in Fulham and Sheffield United, any early doubts of a relegation scrap for Leeds has quickly vanished - the Whites are now 7/1 to face relegation.

As for Fulham, the Cottagers are already in deep trouble. Despite scoring three times at Elland Road, the club let in four and with three games gone, Scott Parker's men have let in 13 and scored in only two games.

Fulham's 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage to Aston Villa was a stark reminder of the step-up in ability in the Premier League and after such a disastrous start, Parker's men are already 1/3 to go straight back down. Key players such as top scorer Aleksander Mitrovic, who scored 24 goals in the Championship last term, will be crucial to any hopes of survival.

Fulham are also priced with odds of 7/4 to be bottom at Christmas.

Moving onto the third newly-promoted side, West Brom, who claimed the Championship runners-up spot last season. Leicester City comfortably swept them aside 3-0 in the opening fixture, before a new-look Everton put five past them on matchday two following a Kieran Gibbs red card.

Conceding goals were the origin of most of their problems last season in the Championship. Having scored 77 goals, the same as champions Leeds, they also let in 45 along the way. This, coupled with a joint league-high of 17 draws alongside 8th placed Millwall, means questions remain about their ability to win games in the Premier League.

Similar to Fulham, it could prove to be a very long season for Slaven Bilic, as they proved in their 3-3 draw with Chelsea that they are still far away from establishing themselves as a Premier League outfit.

West Brom are 3/1 to be bottom at Christmas, and second-favourites to get relegated at 4/6. For a newly-promoted clean sweep to go straight back down, the odds of this treble is currently 40/1, whilst West Brom, Fulham and Sheffield United to go down is priced at 10/1.

From what we’ve seen thus far, West Ham United are set for another topsy-turvy season. Seemingly lacking any real desire in their first game against Newcastle United in a 3-0 home defeat, Arsenal then piled on the misery with a late winner on matchday two.

However, a sensational 4-0 win over the European contenders, Wolverhampton Wanderers, was one of the best results at the London Stadium in recent times, as Jarrod Bowen put down his marker on the Premier League with two goals.

With transfers never really expected anymore for West Ham, If David Moyes is to get anything out of the current squad, the likes of Bowen, Michael Antonio and Sebastian Haller need to take control. Now, after a mixed start, the Hammers are now 10/3 to be relegated.

Elsewhere Newcastle and Crystal Palace, amongst others, have been touted as potentially relegation-threatened this season, despite a mixed start from the two sides.

Steve Bruce’s side started the season with a comfortable 3-0 victory over West Ham, but were visibly outclassed in a 3-0 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion a week later, whilst Newcastle were exceptionally fortunate to take a point away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week.

The likes of Callum Wilson have made a difference already with two goals, whilst Ryan Fraser and Jeff Hendricks have already contributed with goals in their new colours, and if the Magpies are to survive, these three will be vital - Newcastle are priced at 9/4 to go down.

As for Palace, the Eagles have been one of the most surprising starters to this season, sensationally winning at Old Trafford 3-1, a week after beating Southampton 1-0. Roy Hogdson's men were tipped by many for relegation given their form in 2020 saw them register the second most defeats in the league after Norwich City.

However, with Wilfred Zaha still on their books and just one goal short of his tally from last year already, Palace look set for another steady season above the drop zone - the club are now a high 11/2 to face the drop.

Last season’s European hopefuls in Sheffield United and Burnley find themselves back down the table where they are more use to operating during the early stages of this season.

The Blades have a superb manager in Chris Wilder and it would be a heavy fall from grace should they find themselves in a relegation battle, however, with three games and four goals conceded with no goal registered, the future already looks bleak.

As for Burnley, Sean Dyche often finds a way to compete with limited resources, but a quiet summer once more and rumours of interest in James Tarkowski, could leave Burnley in danger of slipping. Similar to Sheffield United, Burnley are yet to win in their first two games, conceding five and scoring two.

The Blades are 2/1 to be relegated, whilst Burnley are also priced at 2/1 to be relegated.

By Charlie Rhodes