With the Premier League season fast approaching, all eyes will be on top of the league but what about the bottom? Who will be doing all they can to stay in the best league in the world?

Cardiff City

The Welsh side lead by the always entertaining Neil Warnock will be looking to replicate their form from last season, which saw them promoted to the Premier League. It was Warnock’s eighth promotion into the top-tier, eclipsing the records of Graham Taylor and Dave Bassett.

During their last campaign in the Premier League, the biggest problem they had was scoring goals and that looks like the same problem that they will have again this season. Much pressure will be put on new striker, Bobby Reid who signed from Bristol City in July.

Following a successful season with City in the Championship which saw Reid score 20 goals, Cardiff decided to make him the focal point for their attack. A move that has so far been working as he caused chaos in their recent fixture against Burton Albion.

Cardiff City are currently the favourites in the betting markets at 4/6 to be sent back down into the Championship.

Huddersfield Town

The Terriers beat all odds last season by achieving their goal of staying in the league. David Wagner kept Town true to their colours as they didn’t change their style of play after being promoted.

Wagner is entering his third full season at the club and speaking to JOE, he spoke about the changes that have been made at the club since being promoted:

“We are now able to build a proper Premier League facility. It takes around 18 to 24 months, but there is so much information and discussions on what should be the first thing to work on.”

Huddersfield wasted no time in expanding on their squad during the pre-season with fees paid for Stoke’s Ramadan Sobhi and the exciting transfer of Monaco striker Adama Diakhaby. Both of which will be hoping to bring some much needed fire power to a side that lacked that cutting edge at many points of last season.

Town are currently 6/5 to be relegated this season and therefore are backed to suffer from the dreaded, second-season syndrome.This would be very unfortunate for the Terriers but one thing would be for sure, Wagner would walk straight into a new Premier League job if he desires.

Watford

One of last season’s surprise packages, who again were heavily fancied to be fighting relegation but instead due to their quick start, they were all-but safe by the mid-point of the season.

Marco Silva got Watford playing attacking and easy on the eye football but their season was somewhat derailed by Everton’s pursuit of Silva after the sacking of Ronald Koeman. Silva was fired before the end of January and was replaced by Javi Gracia.

Garcia struggled to get the best out of early season sensation, Richardson, but still managed to get the Hornets to safety. The Brazilian ace has now left Watford and the hopes of fans will be rested once again on captain, Troy Deeney.

Watford are 2/1 to be relegated this season, meaning they are fourth favourites for the drop.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Chris Houghton did an outstanding job keeping the sea-siders in the league last season and will be looking to improve on that this season. Very similar to Huddersfield; Brighton struggled in the final third.

A matter that the club wasted no time in addressing with the signings of strikers Percy Tau and Florin Andone from Deportivo La Coruna.

Last season’s victory over Manchester United at the Amex Stadium was their season highlight which ensured their Premier League status. Staying in the Premier League for a second season would eclipse their feat from last season.

Brighton are currently valued at 12/5 to be relegated next season, making them just outside the top three backed sides for the drop, something they would be very happy with should the final league table reflect the betting.

Posted on August 2nd, 2018 by scott
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