Out of the three promoted teams in the Premier League, it is Sheffield United who is the only team to register a point. Burnley, who won the Championship last season, currently sit bottom of the table with a goal difference of -8. The Clarets are then followed by Luton Town who have a goal difference of -7. And then occupying the final relegation spot early on is Everton with a single point, with the Blades in 17th because of a better goal difference.
Relegation candidates
Burnley – 20th
Vincent Kompany’s men were touted for big things this summer; most pundits and neutral Premier League fans didn’t think Burnley would be anywhere near the bottom three.
The Clarets were a possession-based team that loved to play a high-tempo style of passing last term. They averaged the most possession (64.7%) [FBref], and they accomplished this feat because they prioritised short passes. This is what drawed experts to pick Burnley to finish comfortably in mid-table in the Premier League, but they clearly forgot to use common sense as they were always going to find it difficult to dominate games in a better league.
According to the oddsmakers (oddschecker), Burnley are now the fourth most likeliest team to be relegated. Having played all three of their games at Turf Moor, they will travel for the first time this season to play Nottingham Forest next Monday, before hosting Manchester United.
Luton Town – 19th
Every man and his dog had Luton Town to get relegated before a ball was kicked, and the vast majority would’ve had them to finish rock bottom as well.
After seeing their squad quality and depth after the transfer window shut, it is clear they have decided to take the steady and sustainable approach to transfers. And when you compare the squad to the rest of the division, it is no surprise that they are by far the weakest.
One thing they relied on last season was the direct approach and the ability of Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo to cause havoc for opposition defences. They continued to go down the direct avenue when they got into the final third – the Hatters averaged the most accurate crosses in the Championship per game with 5.8 [SofaScore]. This is something they have carried into the Premier League as they are currently the fourth-best crossing team in the division.
According to the oddsmakers, Luton Town are nailed on to finish 20th. The Hatters started the season off facing Brighton & Hove Albion and then Chelsea, but after an improved performance against West Ham United they will take confidence into the upcoming games against Fulham and especially at home against Wolves.
Everton – 18th
At this point, everyone is probably tired of seeing Everton flirt with relegation before eventually escaping when they need it the most. It has been a continuing trend for many seasons.
Despite their poor start to the season, the Toffees have actually been surprisingly impressive in many statistics, it’s putting the ball in the net that is the problem once again for Sean Dyche’s team. According to Opta, Everton have created the fourth-most big chances in the Premier League (13), but they’ve missed the joint-most big chances (11).
According to the oddsmakers, Everton are the most likeliest team to finish in the final relegation spot, which is exactly where they sit currently. They face Arsenal and Brentford next.
Sheffield United – 17th
Much like Luton Town, almost everyone predicted Sheffield United to go back down this season and after selling last season’s star players Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge, it was understandable.
However, the Blades have recruited efficiently in the transfer market and the signings of Cameron Archer, Vinícius Souza and Gustavo Hamer have seemed to have made them an interesting prospect by neutrals. Especially considering Hamer’s instant impact to the side who directly replaced Berge as the number eight and improved them on the whole.
Right now, it just seems like the basics of defending is the only thing letting the Blades down. Every goal they’ve conceded (7) so far could’ve been avoided.
Although they could’ve picked up points against the Champions Manchester City a few weeks ago, oddschecker has the Blades to finish 19th. They travel to Tottenham Hotspur next before hosting struggling Newcastle United.
