The 2024/25 Premier League season is well underway, and as we approach match week 9 the table is beginning to take shape. While the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal battle it out for the top honors, we focus on the bottom of the table to analyze which teams are looking to fight for their Premier League survival. This season, the relegation battle may be just as entertaining as the title race on the other end of the table.
Last season saw Sheffield United, Burnley, and Luton Town drop to the Championship in dismal fashion. Typically, 40 points will guarantee you safety in the Premier League. Each team finished the season with 16, 24, and 26 points respectively, the lowest combined point total of a bottom trio in more than a decade. This was despite Nottingham Forest being given a 4-point deduction due to violating the league’s “Profit and Sustainability” (PSR) rules, who finished 17th on 32 points, six points clear of relegated Luton.
This season, Southampton, Leicester, and Ipswich Town were promoted from the Championship. The former two teams make an immediate return, having been relegated the season prior. Ipswich Town makes a return to the top flight for the first time in 22 years, after impressively finishing the 2000/2001 season in 5th place and qualifying for the then-UEFA Cup, then dropping down the season after.
Everton
After an early slump, this season Everton, who notably lost their first four Premier League matches in a row, has finally shown signs of life under Sean Dyche. Most important of which was securing two massive wins against relegation rivals Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town. They also drew 1-1 against Leicester City and Newcastle United, and suddenly momentum has been found in the blue half of Merseyside. For this reason, we can see Everton remaining in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace
The Eagles currently find themselves in 18th place before match week 9 with three points, all coming from draws. They are still awaiting their first win of the season and have had to dig deep for new manager Oliver Glasner to grind out games. With the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze, Palace should have more than enough firepower to find results — although they are still reeling from the loss of players like Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen.
Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town had a rough start to the season, but considering they had to play the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City in quick succession, it’s difficult to blame them. However, they are still searching for their first win this season and are holding on to their ability to grind out draws to earn points. They have four draws and four losses so far this season, and in an environment where every point is precious, those draws might save them.
Southampton
The Saints are currently one of the favorites to make the drop this season, and for good reason. Russell Martin’s side currently has just 1 point from 8 games, having lost seven of them. Looking through the table, it’s difficult to see where the points will come from. Upcoming matches against Manchester City and Liverpool certainly won’t help either — although they will also face relegation rivals Wolves and Everton in that time. Southampton has spent heavily this year and undergone a squad overhaul, selling players such as Duje Caleta-Car, Carlos Alcaraz, and Sekou Mara. New signings Taylor Harwood-Bellis (23 million euros from Manchester City) and Flynn Downes (18 million euros from West Ham), in addition to many others, have come in, but have struggled to gain meaningful results so far.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves find themselves in an interesting position. While they are currently dead last in 20th, they have also scored by far the most goals out of the bottom three (10), and they also have the most conceded (23) out of them as well. While manager Gary O’Neil has Wolves playing impressive football at times, including an unfortunate 2-1 loss to Manchester City, it is for this reason that most analysts tip them for relegation. If they can tighten the leaks in defense, we can easily envision a scenario where they make a run out of the relegation zone. For now, it may be too little too late for the West Midlands side.
Leicester City
The Foxes had made most people’s list of relegation favorites. However, they’ve recently won two Premier League matches in a row — 1-0 against Bournemouth and 3-2 vs. Southampton. Winning over relegation rivals will surely buoy Leicester as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest this weekend. Impressive performances from Brighton signing Facuno Bounanotte, scoring three goals and two assists, have spurred Leicester into these wins. If he can stay fit and firing, we think Leicester looks like a strong candidate to survive.
Relegation prediction: Southampton, Ipswich Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers
