2024/25 Premier League: Four outsiders who could be dragged into the relegation battle

With Euro 2024 and Copa America reaching their thrilling conclusions, it’s all systems go for the start of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

Manchester City are the favourites to retain their crown for a fifth successive season in what could be Pep Guardiola’s final year at the Etihad. At the same time, the newly promoted trio of Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton lead the way in the Premier League relegation odds 24/25.

The market got it spot on last year, with Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton Town going straight back down to the Championship at the first time of asking, but lightning doesn’t often strike twice.

So, let’s take a look at some of the outsiders who could be dragged into the dreaded relegation battle as the season progresses.

West Ham United – 20/1

Kicking things off with a massive outsider in the market, West Ham United are 20/1 to drop through the trap door to the Championship for the first time in over a decade.

The Hammers finished a more-than-respectable ninth last year, but David Moyes’s departure has brought about some big changes at the London Stadium.

The Scot, who delivered West Ham’s first major trophy in almost half a century when lifting the Conference League, stabilised the East London side in the top flight.

Julen Lopetegui brings plenty of experience, but with Declan Rice gone last summer and Lucas Paqueta set to follow this year, one wonders how much more quality they can lose.

Fulham – 5/1

Priced at 5/1 to suffer relegation in the Premier League odds, Fulham are much shorter than their London rivals.

However, they still have longer odds than seven other top-flight sides. So, the Cottagers should, theoretically, finish around 14^th.

The West London side slipped from 10^th in 2022/23 to 13^th last season and are have lost key players like Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Joao Palhinha.

The onus is on Marco Silva to ensure that Fulham don’t fall further down the table, as they could find themselves in danger of returning to the Championship.

Bournemouth – 7/1

Many pundits and fans alike thought Bournemouth had made a big mistake when they sacked Gary O’Neill, but Andoni Iraola impressed in his maiden campaign.

The Cherries finished a respectable 12^th in the table, largely thanks to Dominic Solanke’s unexpected 19 Premier League goals.

Pressure is on Bournemouth to perform again this season and prove that last season’s joint-record campaign in the Premier League wasn’t a fluke.

They have their work cut out from the start, though, with Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Liverpool amongst the opponents in their first five games.

Brentford – 9/2

For the first time since their promotion to the Premier League in 2021, Brentford arguably felt the harsh realities of the English top flight as they finished 16th, just two places above relegation.

While the Bees were a relatively comfortable 13 points clear of Luton, there was a severe lack of class from the relegated sides this season, and a rise in quality this campaign could cause problems.

Moreover, Brentford could lose their talisman Ivan Toney following some good performances for England at the Euros, including setting up Harry Kane’s winner vs Slovakia and an ice-cool penalty against Switzerland.

Thomas Frank’s side have a tough start to the season, facing Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur in the opening weeks.