Premier League Relegation Betting: A closer look at this season's five favourites for the drop

With the European Championships wrapped up, focus now turns to the upcoming Premier League campaign which commences on August 13. 

The top-flight’s anticipated return in just under a month’s time brings with it an array of ante-post betting opportunities for us to get stuck into. Today, we’ll be looking at the relegation market and assessing which three sides we think will face demotion from the first tier next May.

Who are the 5 favourites for the drop?

Norwich - 10/11

Recently-promoted Norwich City currently lead the betting, priced at 10/11 to go down this season. The Canaries have gained the reputation of a ‘yo-yo team’ in recent years as they have continually fluctuated between England’s top two leagues. They last appeared in the PL back in 2019-20 but were relegated straight back to the Championship at the end of that campaign after finishing rock-bottom on just 21 points. 

There is a collective feeling that Norwich will again succumb to the drop in 2021-22, especially after they lost their star player, Emi Buendía, to Aston Villa last month. The Argentine was a huge player for the East Anglian side and without him they are significantly weaker, although it will be interesting to see how new arrivals Milot Rashica (Werder Bremen, £9.9m) and Pierre Lees Melou (Nice, £5.4m) fare in England’s top table this coming season. 

BettingOdds verdict: Relegation

Watford - Evens

Another team who found themselves relegated from the Premier League in 2020 but are now right back in the big league is Watford. The Hornets followed Norwich down to the Championship on the final day of the 2019-20 campaign but enjoyed a stellar season last term and have returned to the top-flight at the first time of asking. They are, however, second-favourites at Evens to be relegated back to the second tier at the end of the season with several firms.

After witnessing their form towards the end of last term, though, Evens seems a little short for me. Watford cemented their position as Premier League regulars after their promotion from the Championship in 2015 and have proven top-flight pedigree. 

With the likes of Ismaïla Sarr and new signing Josh King in attack, as well as the experience of recent addition Danny Rose in defence, the Hornets have a strong team at their disposal, capable of competing in the Premier League. Time will of course prove to be the decider, but I’d certainly be wanting higher odds than Evens for them to be relegated this season.

BettingOdds verdict: Survival 

Brentford - 11/10

Brentford have finally made it to the Premier League following years of unsuccessful attempts. The Bees beat Swansea in the Championship play-off final to secure their position in the top-flight and will be an exciting side to watch this coming season. 

Their main asset lies in the form of striker Ivan Toney, who last season stormed the second tier’s goal charts by finding the net 33 times. While the former Newcastle man is untested in the Premier League, there is nothing to suggest that he will struggle to score goals in England’s top division, and if he does pick up where he left off from last season, Brentford’s chances of survival will be hugely boosted. 

The West London side play some lovely football and have a great manager at the helm in Thomas Frank, as well as possessing some tremendous quality in personnel with the likes of Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Sergi Canos.

Their lack of strength-in-depth is cause for concern, however. They are yet to make any new signings and don’t have the biggest of squads; partnered with their vast inexperience in the Premier League I do see this season being a really tough one for Brentford. They’ll entertain and battle right until the end, and I’ve no doubt will cause some upsets along the way, but overall it is a little difficult to see them avoiding immediate relegation.

BettingOdds verdict: Relegation

Crystal Palace - 2/1

Palace have been mainstays in the Premier League for the last eight years but they are currently a club undergoing a huge amount of transition. Roy Hodgson has now departed and former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira has been announced as the club’s new manager, a man whose managerial record is somewhat questionable after fairly underwhelming stints at New York City and Nice. 

Then there is the small matter of 11 first-team players being out of contract, including the likes of Gary Cahill and Patrick van Aanholt. Deals for said players are still yet to be agreed, which could leave the club extremely thin on the ground should they not be sorted before the season’s start date of August 13. 

While Vieira could indeed surprise many and relish his new challenge at Selhurst Park, for me the jury is still out on his ability to manage in the Premier League. With key man Eberchi Eze also expected to miss a large chunk of the season with an achilles injury, it makes the Frenchman’s job even harder, and at this stage I can see them struggling from the outset. 

BettingOdds verdict: Relegation

Burnley - 5/2

Burnley are always in the frame where relegation is concerned due to their lack of financial horsepower, but season after season Sean Dyche does a fine job to keep his club in the division. The Clarets are a direct, physical side who are really tough to break down - especially at home - and last season they showed they are capable of pulling clear of the dogfight at the bottom with a solid end to their campaign resulting in a 17th-placed finish by a clear 11 points. 

There’s little doubt in my mind that Burnley will once again be flirting with the drop throughout the season, but I think their vast Premier League experience will be enough to keep their head above water. Should they manage to keep hold of James Tarkowski and Nick Pope, their defence is solid alongside the likes of captain Ben Mee, Charlie Taylor and Matt Lowton. 

Up front they have proven goalscorers in the shape of Chris Wood, Jay Rodriguez and Ashley Barnes, while the creative Dwight McNeil brings plenty of dynamism to the midfield and will help provide chances in the final third for the club’s tenacious front men. Not to mention the fact that they have one of the most experienced top-flight managers in the business on the sideline. It won’t be easy but I think they’ll be fine, as always. 

BettingOdds verdict: Survival