Pressure building in the Premier League relegation battle
Having now reached the midway point of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, the competition is really heating up at both ends of the table. And while the title race is looking increasingly like a two-way battle, between leaders Arsenal and reigning champions Manchester City, the scrap for survival in the bottom half of the table remains wide open.
Since the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, we have often heard managers claim that 40 points is enough to ensure safety, and on all but one occasion that has actually proven true. Nevertheless, given that 7 teams are currently on less than 20 points halfway through the season, the competition to avoid relegation could now be fiercer than ever.
Such dramatic levels of competitiveness are what makes the Premier League so appealing, especially around the world for keen followers overseas, many of whom will be wagering on the final outcome. This includes fans of the English game in Thailand, eagerly seeking out the best football betting sites or เว็บพนันบอลที่ดีที่สุด in Thai, backed by trusted reviews highlighting the latest odds and promotions.
Comparing odds is always good advice, particularly given that online bookmakers are constantly revising their football betting markets. Due to there being so much at stake right now, which teams face the greatest risk of relegation? Well, based on the current odds, let’s take a look at those who are firmly entrenched in attempting to avoid the drop.
Nottingham Forest
After waiting 14 years to get back into the Premier League, tipsters immediately highlighted Nottingham Forest as favourites to go straight back down. Winning just 1 of their opening 14 games hardly inspired optimism, yet having lost just 1 in their last 7 encounters, including priceless victories against direct rivals at the bottom, their hopes for survival are vastly improved.
Leicester City
The shock 2015-16 champions may never scale the same heights again, although Leicester City usually expected to comfortably finish in the top half of the Premier League. Winless after their opening 7 games of the 2022-23 campaign, form did improve with 5 wins from the next 8 contests. But results have taken a turn for the worse again, drawing 1 and losing 4 of the last 5 encounters.
Leeds United
Last season Leeds United only secured their Premier League safety on the final day, thanks to a tense 2-1 win away at Brentford, while Burnley were beaten by Manchester United. The current season has already featured an 8-game winless run, finally ended via back-to-back wins against Liverpool and Bournemouth. However, they are back in the relegation mix after going 6 games without victory.
West Ham United
Qualifying for the Europa Conference League was cause for celebration last season, although it could also be the undoing of West Ham United this term. Despite their perfect record in European games, the Hammers really have struggled in the Premier League, underlined by 5 straight defeats between October and December. The vital 2-0 win against Everton took them out of the drop zone, although the team coached by David Moyes is far from safe.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Poor form cost Bruno Lage his job as Wolves manager by October, turning to former Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui as his replacement, but even the Spanish coach is finding life difficult at the Molineux. Since his arrival team has won 2 games from 5 in the Premier League, both of which came against direct rivals in the fight for survival, and that could ultimately prove crucial in the final reckoning.
Bournemouth
Spending five seasons in the Premier League was a fairy-tale achievement for Bournemouth, albeit one that ended with relegation in 2019-20. But after two campaigns in the Championship and back amongst the English elite, the Cherries are struggling to compete. Producing just 1 win from their last 11 games, which included 8 defeats, it may take a miracle for manager Gary O’Neil to save them.
Everton
1953-54 was the last time Everton played in the second tier of English football, and they could be headed there again, unless there are drastic improvements in form this season. After a disastrous winless run spanning 8 games, Frank Lampard was fired as manager. According to reports, owner Farhad Moshiri has also put the club up for sale. Unfortunately, the Goodison Park outfit appears destined for the abyss.
Southampton
Following the departure of Ralf Hasenhuttl as manager, Nathan Jones was tasked with the challenge of rebooting the 2022-23 campaign at Southampton, although they remain rooted at the bottom of the Premier League table. Now there seems to be an air of inevitability for the Saints, who desperately need to turn things around, otherwise they will be playing in the Championship next season.
