Hammers set for relegation as QPR beat the drop
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Tipping up three teams for relegation before a Premier League ball has been kicked may seem futile but it can mean the best possible prices.
Transfer activity and last year’s performances are pretty much all there is to go on but even so cases can be made for several teams predicted to struggle this year.
West Brom look destined to flirt with the drop but signing Joleon Lescott was a smart piece of business and should earn the Baggies a stay of execution, while QPR have invested well and look sure to avoid another relegation battle.
The same can’t be said for the other two new boys, however, and they, along with West Ham, are James Curtis’ tips for the drop this season. Read on to find out why.
Andy Carroll’s injury has dealt the Hammers a major blow before the start of the season but more worrisome for Irons fans will be Sam Allardyce’s failure to land a decent replacement.
Big Sam identified Connor Wickham as his main target but has baulked at Sunderland’s £7m price tag.
With the ageing Kevin Nolan the club’s top scorer for the last two seasons the need for firepower up front is obvious. Enner Valencia and Mauro Zárate have come in but neither looks likely to grab the 15+ goals that will probably be needed to stave off relegation.
Leonardo Ulloa may have bossed the Championship last year but questions remain over how wise it is to spend £8m on one player when making the jump to the top tier.
The Argentine may well hit double figures but the money may have been better spent getting two or three players in different positions to bulk up Nigel Pearson’s squad.
The Foxes’ strongest XI looks devoid of Premier League experience and Ulloa could prove a luxury signing too far come the final day of the season.
If Danny Ings can continue to progress as he has for the Clarets then Burnley will make a better fight of it than the odds suggest.
However, Sean Dyche’s side were the surprise package in the second tier last year and as such could perhaps have benefitted from another Championship season or two before coming up.
Again lacking in proven Premier League quality, Turf Moor will need to see some significant signings through the door over the coming weeks if Dyche’s men are to survive.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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