As we head into the business end of the season, the relegation battle in the English Premier League is the closest it has been in years.
There is currently just six points separating 18th and 12th, so all of those sides might be feeling like they have a lot do to obtain Premier League status for next season.
You can’t take your eyes off the battle to survive and we’ve picked the three teams we expect to be playing EFL Championship football next season.
Southampton / Bet9ja Odds: 1.14
The first team we are predicting to get relegated this season is Southampton, who currently sit rock bottom of the table and are four points adrift of safety.
The Saints are currently partaking in their 11th consecutive season in the top flight of England, after they had a spell from the 2005/06 season to 2011/12 in English Football League.
Out of the rest of the sides that Southampton have to play this season, just three of those sit in the bottom half of the table, and with the way that they have been playing in recently, it’s worrying times for the Saints faithful.
Nottingham Forest / Bet9ja Odds 1.36
Nottingham Forest were newly promoted to the Premier League this season after winning the Championship play-offs last term, but they currently sit in the drop zone with eight games left to play.
The side from Nottingham were bold in the transfer market last summer and in January, recruiting a total of 30 new players, but this strategy has evidently not paid off.
Steve Cooper’s side have Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool in their next three league games, all of which could prove difficult to pick up points from and potentially lead to a greater margin between themselves and safety.
Forest haven’t won for nine matches, so it’s going to be a tough ask to avoid a quick return to England’s second tier.
Leeds United / Bet9ja Odds 4.30
Leeds United lost star men Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha in the summer transfer window, and they have really struggled since their departure this term.
Jesse Marsch came in towards the later stages of last term and guided Leeds to survival, but the poor form of his side this season meant he was sacked in February.
The Yorkshire side still have Manchester City, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in their remaining games, and if they fail to pick up points against these sides, their days as a Premier League club could be numbered.
Do you agree with our choices or are backing other clubs to face the drop? You can check out our outright market for Premier League relegation here at Bet9ja.
