Sheffield United Early -150 Favorites to Suffer Relegation After 2019-20 EPL Season
- Blades will battle against instant return to EFL
- Promoted Norwich City and Aston Villa also tipped for struggle
- Burnley and Brighton must fight to survive once again
Sheffield United are back in England’s Premier League after a 12-year absense but they know they are in for a tough battle for survival.
They were competing in the third tier of the English game as recently as 2016-17 which means they face a huge struggle to match the financial power of even the EPL’s minor but well-established teams.
It also means the Blades have been made favorites for instant relegation back to the Championship with EPL Relegation odds of -150.
EPL Relegation Odds 2019-20
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sheffield United | -150 |
| Norwich City | -115 |
| Burnley | +175 |
| Aston Villa | +175 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | +200 |
| Newcastle United | +300 |
| Bournemouth | +400 |
| Southampton | +400 |
| Crystal Palace | +400 |
| Watford | +550 |
*Odds taken at 7/4/19.
The oddsmakers believe it will be hard going for all three newly promoted clubs in the EPL with Championship title winners Norwich City second-favorites for the drop at -115.
Although Burnley are then third-favorites to go down at +175 after three consecutive seasons in the top flight, newly-promoted Aston Villa are +175 joint-third favorites to fall back through the trapdoor.
Big Club History Doesn’t Count
That is despite Villa’s status as a big city club from Birmingham with a large fan base and an illustrious history, which includes a European Cup triumph in 1982.
Two of last season’s three promoted clubs suffered an instant return to the Championship – Fulham and Cardiff City. Brighton, after two seasons among the elite, now look vulnerable.
My favourite Teemu Pukki moment so far is ______________. ? #ncfc pic.twitter.com/BdbpC6rwmE
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) July 3, 2019
Sheffield United have been praised as one of the unexpected success stories of recent times in the lower levels of English football.
Their commitment and huge spirit could be enough to allow them to upset the odds and stay up.
After relegation from the EPL in 2007, United tumbled further into League One in 2011.
They finished second in the Championship last season under the astute and impassioned managership of Chris Wilder.
After relegation from the EPL in 2007, United tumbled further into League One in 2011.
Wilder took charge as coach in 2016 and won the League One title in his first season. Promotion to the Premier League has followed just two seasons later.
The manager openly admits his club’s financial powers are limited compared even with other small town clubs such as Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Brighton demanding minimum of £40m for Lewis Dunk | @TomBarclay_ https://t.co/aUheekl9fU pic.twitter.com/Eayv2Sxh9z
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) July 4, 2019
First New Signing
But he has made his first major signing of the summer by acquiring highly-rated midfielder Luke Freeman from Queens Park Rangers for $5.2 million.
He is also noted for being able to inspire and get the best from uncelebrated players such as the club’s leading striker and cult hero, Billy Sharp. He scored 24 goals last season.
Norwich City won the EFL Championship under the command of German coach Daniel Farke.
Their Finnish striker Teemu Puki was the division’s leading scorer with 29 goals in 43 appearances.
Norwich were relegated from the EPL in 2014. And, after a quick promotion, they were again relegated after just one campaign among the elite in 201
It remains to be seen whether he can make the step up to Premier League level.
Norwich were relegated from the EPL in 2014. And, after a quick promotion, they were again relegated after just one campaign among the elite in 2017.
The rating of Burnley as joint-third favorites to go down is a surprise.
Boss Dyche Is a Survivor
They have proven themselves as gritty survivors against the odds under the managership of Sean Dyche.
They finished 15th last season – above Southampton and Brighton, who narrowly escaped relegation. Both look in danger again.
Let me get this right @NUFC fans
No Rafa
No New Manager
No Takeover atm
No New Players
No Pérez (Cashley 30mill better off)
And only 39 days till the new Season kicks off
Form an orderly queue to renew your Season Tickets ⚽️— Mick Quinn (@mickquinn1089) July 3, 2019
Coach Dean Smith has already spent $77 million making nine new signings to ensure the squad is strong enough for the EPL.
Aston Villa won the Championship Playoff 2-1 against Derby County to return to the EPL after a three-year absense.
Their highly-rated coach Dean Smith has already spent $77 million making nine new signings to ensure the squad is strong enough for the EPL.
They include the $36 million Brazilian striker Wesley who has arrived from Belgium’s Club Brugge and the defender Matt Targett who was signed from Southampton for $23 million.
Brighton sacked manager Chris Hughton at the end of last season after their flirtation with the drop.
His replacement, Graham Potter, is untested in the EPL and they could struggle.
They are fifth favorites for the drop at +200.
Picks to be relegated: Brighton and Hove Albion +200, Norwich City -115, Southampton +400
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
