With the 2024-2025 English Premier League season set to kick off, some clubs are likely to struggle to survive relegation.
As usual, survival in the English top flight in the upcoming season will be a matter of squad strength and tactical prowess. Last season, all three clubs – Burnley, Luton Town, and Sheffield United – who won promotion were relegated back to the second tier. This season, who is more likely to go down?
Follow us as we take you through these five clubs that are likely to be fighting the relegation battle in the 2024-25 season.
Leicester City
The case of Leicester City is that despite their topping the Championship in the 2023/24 season, they go into the Premier League with charges for breaking Premier League financial rules.
They could face a probable points deduction. If that deduction goes as high as 15 points, then Leicester will be in trouble. They have retaliated with a suit against the Premier League, but should they lose the case, it will be dire.
To make matters worse, highly-rated head coach Enzo Maresca has left the team for Chelsea. It will take time for new manager Steve Cooper to get his plan across and compete strongly at the start.
Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town makes a near quarter-of-a-century return to the Premier League, having won successive promotions. The Tractor Boys were last term’s Championship surprise package, finishing runners-up and thus securing their place at the top level.
Their main focus for the 2024/25 season will be on survival. And that may turn out to be no easy feat. Ipswich’s transfer activity will be pivotal. A squad that has not been challenged at Premier League level for many years needs strengthening.
The owners have promised a decent budget for recruitment. Whether that will be enough to secure the necessary quality is another matter. Perhaps the greatest strength that Ipswich holds is head coach Kieran McKenna.
McKenna is known for his tactical acumen. He has been influential in Ipswich’s recent successes. However, staying up in the Premier League will be his toughest test yet.
Southampton Premier League Club
Whereas finishing fourth in the Championship and gaining promotion does warrant applause, recent top-flight history does suggest another battle against relegation may well befall Southampton.
They ended their Premier League campaign with a whimper in 2022/23, though they did turn it around in the 2023-24 Championship. Promotion through the playoffs does suggest they are not exactly overwhelming.
Scoring goals could again prove to be a problem for Southampton, whose top scorers – Adam Armstrong and Che Adams – both failed in the Premier League previously.
The latter has already joined Torino on a free transfer, and the departure will create a substantial vacuum. New summer signings Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Adam Lallana are great but how long they will be able to cope with the demands of Premier League football remains to be seen.
Everton
In the last three seasons, Everton has flirted with relegation, and it could turn out no different in 2024/25. With financial problems, poor performance on the pitch, and management problems, they have slowly slumped in the pecking order in the English top flight.
The squad lacks depth and quality in some vital areas. While the likes of Tim Iroegbunam and Jack Harrison have joined, they need more reinforcements to stay on track for survival.
Nottingham Forest Premier League Club
Nottingham Forest dodged relegation last season by a hair’s breadth. They were six points clear of the drop zone after a four-point deduction for breaking PSR rules.
The Tricky Trees certainly have not been afraid to spend in the transfer market of late, but such largesse has not always translated into on-pitch success. This summer may see the club employ a more cautious approach, targeting specific areas that need strengthening.
The fact that Forest have already made one impressive signing in Serbian midfielder Marko Stamenic does little to allay concerns about the reduction of squad depth following the sale of veteran Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler. What Nuno Epirito’s side does need is to build on their home form from last season.
