Premier League 2025/26 Relegation Betting Preview
Recent Premier League seasons have been a real struggle for the promoted sides. All six new arrivals in the last two campaigns have made an immediate return to the Championship, and the market is once again headed by the promoted three.
This time, it’s Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland hoping to fare better and secure top-flight survival. Here, we look at their chances and those of fellow relegation rivals, looking to avoid the dreaded drop.
Sunderland - 2/5
Returning to the Premier League for the first time in eight years, Sunderland are making a real go of it in the transfer window. Years of turmoil saw the club languishing in the third tier for four seasons, finally gaining promotion through the play-offs. Play-off success was then repeated as the Black Cats clinched their Premier League return back in May.
The arrival of Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen has caught the eye, with the Swiss midfielder a big plus for the Black Cats. Their relegation odds, though, of 2/5 suggest that more reinforcements are needed, despite spending north of £100m on new additions already.
Xhaka has been joined on Wearside by a raft of other arrivals, including Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Simon Adingra and the permanent signing of on-loan Enzo Le Fee.
There seems to be a buzz around Sunderland at the moment following a euphoric play-off campaign, though it remains to be seen if the current squad boasts enough firepower for the upcoming season - strikers Wilson Isidor and Elizer Mayenda are unproven at this level, and Sunderland’s 58 goals last season was the lowest of any of the top six in the Championship.
It will be a difficult season for Regis Le Bris’ young side, and home form could be key. Their last Premier League campaign was a forgettable one, with the club on a downward spiral on and off the field. This time around, the feeling is different, and what they lack in experience, they make up for in spirit and raw talent. As their play-off success shows, they will never give up - but everyone on Wearside is aware just how challenging the task ahead will be.
Burnley – 2/5
Scott Parker’s Burnley side return to the Premier League after just one season away, and off the back of a phenomenal campaign last time around. 100 points saw them only pipped to the Championship title by Leeds on goal difference, and their staggering defensive record saw them keep a whopping 19 clean sheets and ship just 16 goals.
As they well know, though, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish. Their most recent top-flight spell ended with a 19th-place finish and a disappointing 24 points, so drastic improvements are needed if they are to avoid the drop this time around.
Worryingly for the Clarets, two of the mainstays of that record-breaking defence have moved on to pastures new. Goalkeeper James Trafford has returned to Manchester City, while centre-back CJ Egan-Riley has joined Marseille. They have also made moves to strengthen the backline, adding experienced right-back Kyle Walker from City, as well as central defender Alex Tuanzebe from Ipswich Town.
Parker has also made successful loan spells permanent for Jaidon Anthony, Marcus Edwards, Zian Flemming and Bashir Humphreys, but will know that more additions to the squad are vital if a repeat of the club’s last Premier League season is to be avoided. Relegation odds of 33/100 have them as favourites to go straight back down, while the 7/4 for them to finish bottom is somewhat appealing - sorry Clarets fans.
They have a tough start with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Liverpool in their first four games - the clash with Sunderland on Matchday 2 at Turf Moor already feels huge.
Leeds United – 17/20
Leeds are back in the big time. Promoted as champions after bouncing back from a play-off final defeat in 2023/24, the Whites were mightily impressive as they romped to 100 points. Questions surround the ability of manager Daniel Farke in the Premier League, with the German having just six wins to his name in 49 games, but the Yorkshire club feel he has earned the right to lead them once more.
The arrival of Sean Longstaff from Newcastle seems a shrewd move and he will add experience to the midfield, while goalkeeper Lucas Perri has been brought in from Lyon. No doubt fans will feel more additions are needed, however, so far, the title-winning squad of last season has been kept together.
Two seasons away from the Premier League will have the Elland Road faithful wary of the step up in quality, but the home crowd can play their part. Last time out in the Premier League Leeds recorded a mere five home wins, compare that to just one home defeat last season and it is clear that turning Elland Road into a fortress once more will be key this time around.
Wolves – 13/4
A season of two halves for Wolves saw them live to fight another day. Vitor Pereira replaced Gary O’Neil as manager after a wretched start which saw the team fail to win any of their opening 10 games. The arrival of the Portuguese boss sparked a revival best highlighted by a run of six consecutive wins in March which further increased the renewed hope and optimism around Molineux - though no wins in four to end the season may have somewhat curtailed that positivity.
The high-profile departures of top scorer Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri to Manchester United and City, respectively, will be a blow, but the permanent signing of Jorgen Strand-Larsen feels important. The Norwegian notched 14 league goals last season, just one behind Cunha, and there will be hopes that new arrival Fer Lopez can create the goals for him this term.
It feels that although the Old Gold will be in the mix for the drop, they have too much quality to finish in the bottom three but that will be dependent on a better defensive return this time round. Ait-Nouri has been replaced at left back by David Moller Wolfe, in a backline that needs tightening up. Scoring goals was not an issue last term, but the 69 goals shipped certainly were. Conceding more than four goals on five occasions is something Perreira will be keen not to repeat, and we think he’ll manage it. Wolves to stay clear.
Brentford – 7/2
It’s been a summer of largely unwanted transition for Brentford. The departure of manager Thomas Frank to Spurs preceded the sale of top-scorer Brian Mbuemo to Manchester United and the loss of captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal.
Keith Andrews, formerly set-piece coach, is the new man in charge. The addition of Caoimhin Kelleher in goal looks a fantastic piece of business as does, on paper, the signing of England’s Jordan Henderson - Norgaard’s replacement.
There has been a lot of discussion about Yoane Wissa’s future, with the Bees reluctant to lose another goalscorer alongside Mbuemo. Should he stay, he will step up to be the main man in attack, but whether the West Londoners can retain the Congolese international is another matter.
Andrews himself represents a risk as an appointment, with the club again choosing to promote from within. It worked wonders with Thomas Frank, but the Premier League is an unforgiving proposition these days. The Bees start with a trip to Nottingham Forest and hosting Aston Villa before visiting new boys Sunderland - a strong start from these opening games could be crucial for Andrews and his team.
It might not be comfortable for Bees fans, and replicating last season’s 10th-place finish seems a long shot, while they are just 13/4 for the drop. It could be touch and go - a lot will depend on Andrews’ performance in his first managerial role.
Fulham – 6/1
It seems strange to be including what has been a largely solid Fulham side in recent years in this conversation. 10th, 13th and 11th placed finishes have seen Marco Silva’s men re-establish themselves as a Premier League side, but a lack of additions so far this summer might raise one or two questions.
The Cottagers had the third-oldest squad last season, and it was a rather unusual campaign in terms of results. Six draws in eight games around the turn of the year were followed by not a single stalemate until the end of the season. Their final three home games ended in defeat and Fulham ended the season with a goal difference of zero - 54 scored and 54 conceded.
You feel they need a spark from somewhere, along with some new faces and an injection of youth. Raul Jiminez, their top scorer last time round, is 34, yet the targetman remains vital to their play - Fulham had the seventh-highest average pass length last campaign.
Despite the reservations, we aren’t tipping Fulham for the drop. They have a talented, if ageing, squad, and a few quality additions could make all the difference. As could manager Silva, who has done a fantastic job in West London. That job continues.
West Ham – 6/1
Last season was a forgettable one for The Hammers. 14th place in a season that never really got going, not to mention an underwhelming second half of the season following Graham Potter’s appointment, have led to some tipping his side to struggle this season.
West Ham won just five games under Potter and though relegation was never really a threat, the 2024/25 campaign was not the one fans were hoping for and expecting, having spent big last summer. Nine home defeats and only five wins are not what Hammers’ fans want at the London Stadium.
Lucas Paqueta’s availability is a huge boost, as is the exciting addition of winger El Hadji Malick Diouf. The loss of Mohammed Kudus to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, however, is a blow. Their record Premier League goalscorer Michail Antonio has departed, with the void up-front filled by former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson.
In defence, Kyle Walter-Peters and Jean-Clair Todibo have been brought in from Southampton and Nice, hopefully to shore up a backline that shipped 62 goals last season. Their relegation odds of 6/1 have them as somewhat of an outsider, but responsibility will likely fall on captain Jarrod Bowen to fire them clear of trouble.
Crystal Palace – 7/1
A memorable 2024/25 that saw Palace win the FA Cup has been followed by a summer of confusion and distraction off the field. European qualification was overshadowed by the demotion from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League, while just a few additions have been made to a squad that finished 12th last season. However, the Eagles managed to put any summer struggles to one side to win a second trophy of the year by beating Liverpool on penalties to lift the Community Shield.
Extra bodies will be needed to cope with the added stresses of European football, but keeping hold of their top talent has been as much of a priority for Oliver Glasner. Marc Guehi, Ismaila Sarr and Eberechi Eze to name just a few, have all attracted attention from other clubs but so far remain at Selhurst Park.
At 7/1, relegation seems unlikely. Particularly if their top players can be retained alongside a few quality additions. We have though, seen clubs struggle with the demands of European competition before, so this could just be one to keep an eye on.
Everton – 7/1
It should be an exciting time for Everton, and for many reasons, it is. Heading to a new stadium after 100 years at Goodison Park, along with the so far successful return of manager David Moyes.
Loanee Carlos Alcaraz has joined permanently, as has ‘keeper Mark Travers from Bournemouth to provide backup to Jordan Pickford. Two high-profile signings have also been made, in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry, taking summer spending to over £75million.
There is the impression though that some signings still need to be made. Enquiries over Jack Grealish will excite fans, who, after several years just avoiding the drop, will want to start looking up the Premier League table. Relegation for the Toffees in our opinion, won’t be on the cards. Moyes is a more than capable manager who seems at home on Merseyside.
Further additions, and perhaps an eye-catching signing, such as Grealish, and Everton fans will start to believe again.
Best Promoted Team
Recent years in the Premier League would see this market named the “Least Worst” promoted team, but fans of Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland will be hoping that changes this season. Six teams have been promoted in the previous two seasons, and all six have been immediately relegated - Southampton avoiding being the joint-lowest ever points total by just one point.
Of the three promoted sides, it’s Sunderland with the longest period since playing Premier League football, though the Black Cats are making a go of it in the transfer window, being among the top spenders in Europe. Their young, exciting squad often plays without fear, and experienced additions like Granit Xhaka and Reinaldo will only benefit the fledgling talent. Whether it will be enough to stay up remains to be seen, but their 9/4 to be the best promoted team is an interesting one.
Leeds, at 41/50, are the most fancied to top the pile of the new boys, though. 100-point Championship titlists last season, their squad features some standout players, including the explosive Willie Gnonto. Question marks surround manager Farke in the Premier League, and though they have shown faith in the German, a good start could be crucial for his future.
Burnley are the outsiders in this market, with the Clarets losing two of the mainstays in a backline that was so impressive last term. Keeper James Trafford and centre-back CJ Egan-Riley have departed to pastures new, and though reinforcements have been plentiful, doubts surround their ability to bring that defensive solidity to what can be a brutal top flight.
17th will be the target for all three of these clubs in a league that is becoming increasingly difficult to break into. We’re predicting Leeds and Sunderland to come the closest, with the 9/4 being the most tempting for Sunderland’s youthful and unknown squad.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
