We’re less than 48 hours away from the start of the new الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز season, with a weekend packed with top-flight action now on the horizon for 20 teams up and down إنجلترا who have spent the summer spending big and tweaking tactical plans.
For now, though, its predictions season, and here at BALLGM we’re no different. Over the past week, our writers have been giving their takes on all the biggest issues, from the Golden Boot contenders to the first manager to be sacked; from the surprise packages and best signings to the biggest disappointments.
Today, we’ve taken a look at the relegation contenders, and which teams are most likely to be fighting for survival over the next nine months:
We’re less than 48 hours away from the start of the new Premier League season, with a weekend packed with top-flight action now on the horizon for 20 teams up and down England who have spent the summer spending big and tweaking tactical plans.
For now, though, its predictions season, and here at بالجم we’re no different. Over the past week, our writers have been giving their takes on all the biggest issues, from the Golden Boot contenders to the first manager to be sacked; from the surprise packages and best signings to the biggest disappointments.
Today, we’ve taken a look at the relegation contenders, and which teams are most likely to be fighting for survival over the next nine months:
Mark Doyle: Burnley و Leeds both racked up 100 points in last season’s بطولة, while play-off winners Sunderland have made some impressive summer signings. However, it’s hard to see any of the Premier League newcomers staying up. The gap between the top-flight and the second tier has become a chasm in recent years, which is why توتنهام were never in danger of relegation last season despite accumulating just 38 points. There is, therefore, a depressing air of inevitably about the three newly-promoted teams going straight back down for the third consecutive year – which would just be the most damning indictment of the financial inequality ruining English football.
Amee Ruszkai: Brentford have lost a worrying number of key figures this summer, on the pitch and in the dugout, and that’s a lot for rookie boss Keith Andrews to deal with. Burnley’s stubborn defence is likely to keep them afloat for a while, though James Trafford’s exit will make it weaker and thus place more emphasis on scoring goals, which they lack the firepower to do. Leeds, meanwhile, will be a fun re-addition to the Premier League, but in terms of staying up, I am unconvinced by the recruitment. Daniel Farke looks like a prime candidate to come under pressure early, too.
Stephen Darwin: It’s more than a little concerning that all three of last season’s promoted teams went straight back down for the second season in a row, and it’s a worrying trend that doesn’t feel like it’s going to dissipate anytime soon. As much as all three have made some useful signings, they still possess far weaker squads than the other teams that you would expect will be part of that scrap to avoid the drop. It’s going to be a long and gruelling season ahead for Sunderland, Burnley and Leeds fans.
Richard Martin: Burnley boss Scott Parker has been relegated from the Premier League twice with Fulham, albeit once as only a caretaker manager, and when he returned to the top-flight with Bournemouth, he was sacked after only four games. The Clarets made Championship history with their incredible defence last season, but that alone will not be enough to keep them up. Brentford’s five-year stint in the top flight, meanwhile, looks set to come to an end as they have lost their top scorer in Bryan Mbeumo, their captain Christian Norgaard, goalkeeper Mark Flekken and they could also part with Yoane Wissa. But worst of all, they have parted ways with Thomas Frank, the architect of their incredible run over the past few years and replaced him with a novice in Keith Andrews. Sunderland, meanwhile, were fortunate to return to the top-flight after riding their luck in the play-offs, and although they have spent big they do not yet feel ready to properly compete.
Tom Maston: Given there are now 17 established sides who have at least three years of Premier League money behind them, the gap to the Championship has never been wider. And so while some of the promoted sides will be more competitive than their 2024-25 predecessors, it’s difficult to predict anything other than a third-successive season where that same trio suffer relegation. Burnley look most ill-equipped for the top-flight right now – if an ageing Kyle Walker is the answer, what’s the question?! – while Sunderland’s business, though eye-catching, hasn’t fully addressed their biggest issue, which is a lack of experience. Leeds متحد‘s signings are more in-keeping with what a promoted side should be aiming for, but their failure to add any proven attacking talent to Daniel Farke’s squad means they will struggle to score the goals needed to survive.
Krishan Davis: You fear for Brentford after they finally lost head coach Thomas Frank as well as several key players this summer, and promoting set-piece coach Keith Andrews feels like a huge risk. Burnley have obviously been in this situation in the recent past, and based purely on their business to date I’m not convinced lessons have been learned from their previous relegation. Although their signings have been more impressive, the same goes for Leeds; they won’t be able to close the gap to those above, with fellow new arrivals Sunderland spending big to stay up.
Sean Walsh: Obviously, it’s boring to say that the three promoted teams will go back down for a third season running. To be fair to them, they all seem to be having a go at improving their squads to Premier League standard, but they all still lack the quality needed to survive. Sorry, Granit Xhaka.
James Westwood: Burnley will cement their status as a yo-yo club by finishing rock bottom of the table, on the back of the huge loss of No.1 goalkeeper James Trafford, while Sunderland will also drop straight back down to the Championship despite the best efforts of marquee signing Granit Xhaka. Brentford are doomed, too; Keith Andrews won’t be able to fill the boots of inspirational former manager Thomas Frank, especially after the sale of top-scorer Bryan Mbeumo and potential loss of his partner-in-crime, Yoane Wissa.
Joe Strange: Newly-promoted teams going straight back down again is nothing new in the Premier League, and it’s sure to be the case again as the gap between the top-flight and the Championship grows ever wider. Despite both managing 100 points in the second tier last term, Burnley and Leeds look ill-equipped for survival, and it’s no surprise they’re among the bookmakers’ favourites to get relegated. Sunderland actually top that list, but after bringing in the experienced Granit Xhaka as part of a £140m spending spree, the Black Cats should just have enough to escape. Instead it’ll be Wolves who struggle and finish 18th, with Vitor Pereira unable to build on last season.
