With the end of the season approaching across Europe, the next few weeks will see medals handed out to the eventual champions. In Spain and Italy, the champions-elect, Barcelona and Napoli, seem to have an insurmountable cushion. In Europe’s other major league, it’s between the usual suspects, Manchester City, and the young pretenders, Arsenal. However, it’s at the other end of the table where it is just as interesting. Several teams are still trying to claw their way to safety with no obvious choice but who are their favorites?
The surprise packages
Leicester City, Southampton, and West Ham are three names that most didn’t expect to be fighting it out to stay in the league. At the beginning of the season, all three were tipped by bookmakers to finish mid-table however this has now changed. Outright markets, for those sports betting in Zambia, currently have Southampton priced at odds of -909.09 to be relegated to the Championship. There are also markets for live in-game betting, match predictions as well as jackpots, and casino games.
The other two teams, West Ham and Leicester are priced at +900 and -138.88, respectively. In the past few years, they have become more used to competing in Europe but this won’t be the case next season. Leicester has recently fired Brendan Rodgers while West Ham has taken the opposite approach sticking with David Moyes. It remains to be seen which method will turn out the best.
The newbies
Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest were two teams tipped to go straight back down to the championship. During the summer, Forest saw a huge period of transition and brought more than 20 new players to the club. They added to their team again in January bringing in serial winner Keylor Navas and hope this will give the team the necessary boost in the run-in.
The Cherries on the other hand focused on the man in charge, sacking Scott Parker after just three games. They eventually stuck with their caretaker manager and are still keeping their head above water. Their odds are currently +200 with new manager Gary O’Neil pulling off impressive results during his first role in the Premier League.
#afcb are delighted to announce the appointment of Gary O’Neil as head coach
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) November 27, 2022
The bigger boys
In the past few years, Everton has been in a downward spiral. They have changed managers multiple times as well as oversaw a haphazard player recruitment strategy. They have never been relegated from the top flight but this year might be different. Sean Dyche has arrived as manager but as of yet, their form has remained patchy. They remain among the favorites to be relegated.
Leeds is known as one of the biggest clubs in the country. They are only just back in the league but they have plenty of financial backing to remain there. Their second season has not gone well though. American manager Jesse Marsch was shown the exit door in February and their new manager, Javi Gracia has his work cut out keeping the Lilywhites in the division. Their odds reflect this at +275.
️ “Leeds are like Space Jam”
️ “Someone took their talent off them in the second half”@IanWright0 believes Leeds’ form is very worrying.
Watch #MOTD2 on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/MwFCiQTGNW
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 9, 2023
In a league where any team can beat any other, the following few weeks will have plenty of twists and turns at the bottom of the table. It will take a brave person to pick the three losers.
