Last week we looked at the success stories for the forthcoming season around promotion and title challengers. This week on the eve of the first Premier League fixtures we will look at where the value is for those teams that will struggle at the wrong end of the table.
Firstly, let's look at the Premier League. As with most seasons the obvious choices will come from those most recently promoted. Burnley are nailed on to go back down for me. They have barely strengthened this summer and don't have the financial clout to be able to spend their way out of trouble or compete with those around them to reach that magic 40 point marker. They are too short to back as a single however. As for the other promoted sides I believe Arry and QPR will have enough to stay up and have made their best signing off the field with the appointment of Glenn Hoddle to help The back room staff. Leicester are an unknown quantity but I have a feeling the may stay up and if push comes to shove could invest 10-20 million in January to help keep them up. My NAP for relegation is West Brom. The baggies stayed up the skin of their teeth last season and despite a number of summer signings have not strengthened in my opinion. The squad looks devoid of talent and with Alan Irvine lacking any PL experience he will be lucky to get to Christmas in charge. You can get 5-2 with West Brom as a single (sky bet) or double them up with Burnley at 9-2 with Bet365. My third shout would be Aston Villa. Villa struggled again last season, and with no star signings, a lack of financial backing and Benteke still out injured I can see them slipping out the league and are 3-1 to do so.
West Brom to be relegated and Nottingham forest to be promoted double 14-1 (bet 365) £15
West Brom, Burnley, villa to be relegated treble 40-1 (bet 365) £5
Outside the PL there is also value but it gets more tricky to pick who will go down, especially at this stage of the season. In the Championship I have a fear for Leeds fans. The new chairman Massimo Cellino sacked 36 managers in 22 seasons he had at Cagliari and in Hockaday have a real unknown in the fire of a competitive championship league. They have also lost their star striker in Ross McCormack, who's goals kept them up last season. At 3-1 they are good value to go down.
In league 1, both Notts County (7-2) and Gillingham (9-4) will struggle to beat the drop, but I don't fancy enough to stick my neck out and follow through at this stage, but as with Leeds I will look out for early season form over the coming weeks and update if I follow them up with a nibble or 2.
Jared
