With the Premier League drawing to a close and the title race officially over, attention turns to the battle for survival at the foot of the table. The Premier League relegation odds have been fluctuating throughout the season, the bookmakers now appear to see the relegation race as all-but over, but is it?
Installed as 6/1 to go down in the pre-season markets, it’s been a dismal season for West Brom. They look to be the only concrete certainty for the drop, eight-points adrift at the bottom of the table with just four games to go. They’re now priced at 1/5000 with some bookmakers, however there’s still much debate around who may take the remaining two relegation spots.
If you’re a keen follower of market moves in the betting world, then you should head over to Oddschanger. They keep their followers updated with the latest developments across the sporting world, via their social media and website. Throughout the season they have been tracking the relegation markets for all of the English leagues, with the ever-changing odds proving that nothing is certain. We look at the teams still embroiled in the relegation fight:
Stoke City
The Potters have flirted with relegation in recent seasons but have always managed to pull themselves out of it and finish nearer to the middle of the table. Stoke were priced around 6/1 in August to be relegated, the Potters’ odds have plummeted since Christmas-time, they’re now odds- on go down, around 1/10 with most bookmakers.
They’re second-bottom of the league, five points adrift from safety. Stoke still have Crystal Palace and Swansea to play, must-win games if they are to stay up.
Southampton
An eighth-place finish for the Saints last season had fans dreaming of pushing on further this season, few would have expected the disastrous season they’ve endured. They’re now around priced around 1/2 to go down, a point above Stoke having played a game less but still four from safety.
Swansea City
The Swans were another of those tipped to go down, with their odds being just above Evens back in August. Carlos Carvajal has gone a long way in turning the club’s fortunes around, they’re currently four points clear of the drop-zone with four games to go, priced at 4/1 to go down. Their final two games will see them play Stoke and Southampton, two potentially huge fixtures.
Huddersfield, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brighton
Three of these sides sit on 35 points, with the latter, Brighton, on 36, though Palace have played at least one game more than the rest. Huddersfield were the favourites for relegation in pre-season but have surprised many this season. However, with games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal still to go, the Terriers price of 6/1 to go down looks generous. Likewise, Brighton have both Manchester clubs to play before a final-day trip to Liverpool, but their current points haul of 37 should be enough to keep them out of danger regardless of results elsewhere.
The two London clubs got off to poor starts and have effectively spent the season playing-catch up. West Ham are priced at 20/1 for the drop, Brighton are 25/1, while Palace are around 40/1, these four clubs should be safe, but everything hinges on the form of beleaguered Southampton. If the Saints are able to pick up a win or two then all of the above will be looking over their shoulder and set-up an exciting finish to the season.
