Hughes at risk of failing to live up to season-ending QPR promise

Mark Hughes may have vowed on the final day of last season that QPR will never be in relegation trouble again under his stewardship, but recent history suggests that this will prove a false statement.

QPR are 4/1 to be relegated this season and optimism will be that they will finish nearer the top half than relegation after a successful summer in the transfer market.

England goalkeeper Rob Green, exciting Blackburn forward Junior Hoilett and experienced Manchester United campaigner Park Ji-Sung are among the new arrivals at Loftus Road.

However, the fact they finished 17th in the final standings last season threatens to be a hindrance to their chances this time around.

The last three clubs to have survived the relegation places by a single place have gone down in the following campaign, which does not bode well for QPR.

A myth that some punters may consider as another reason for a probable QPR relegation is that of second season Premier League relegation syndrome.

But only four teams in the last 11 seasons have survived on their Premier League return, only to be relegated in their second campaign.

Meanwhile, only twice in the Premier League era have all three promoted clubs from the second tier stayed up in the top flight in the same season.

And it is West Ham that look most likely to ensure one of the promoted clubs are immediately relegated this season, as six of the last nine play-off winners have gone straight back down.

It is 9/4 that West Ham are relegated.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Stats supplied by Opta