When thinking about a new Premier League season, it’s not uncommon to think about the teams that have a chance of winning the title and those that are likely to suffer relegation and go down to the Championship.
Although not as common as perhaps thought, many will initially think that the three teams that come up will go straight back down. It happened last season when we saw Sheffield United, Burnley, and Luton Town all be relegated, as England’s elite appeared to be a step too far for them.
This year, three teams who’ve all had experience of the Premier League will be vying not to be the three that face the drop in the same calamitous situation, with Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town all being the “new boys” of this new season.
What should we expect to see happen in the Premier League this season?
Of course, given the league’s strength, it wouldn’t be a real surprise if we saw the three promoted teams find it difficult to adjust and produce the type of campaigns they need to survive.
With that said, it’s not out of the realm of possibility, nor is it out of the ordinary if they were to do so. Both Leicester City and Southampton know what it takes to stay in the league and have been part of the Premier League consistently for a significant period. The Foxes even shocked everyone in 2015/16 when they beat all the odds under Claudio Ranieri and won the Premier League title.
It’s not something the latest Premier League odds have any of the new teams doing, but it’s not something that can be completely ruled out. Let’s remember, one of the best things about England’s top tier is the fact that anybody can beat anybody on a given day. It’s not like other leagues where one team will dominate the season and have it all their way.
Ipswich Town might be the team to struggle the most. The Tractor Boys have a good history in the league, having finished as high as fifth in the 2000/01 season and qualifying for Europe under George Burley. However, a season later they would be relegated after finishing 18th. Some 22 years later, and they have finally regained Premier League status under Kieran McKenna.
Can any of the promoted teams have a successful season?
Ahead of the upcoming campaign, a successful season for each of the promoted teams will be to beat the drop. Despite the size and stature of each Club, there is no denying that survival will be the primary aim and objective. Each of them will have some issues that they will need to address, with changes having been experienced.
Leicester City will go into the campaign with Steve Cooper at the helm after he replaced Enzo Maresca following his departure to Chelsea. Ipswich managed to convince McKenna to stay at Portman Road. In contrast, Southampton convinced Russell Martin to sign a new contract after he sealed their promotion back to the Premier League through the Championship playoff.
Key players and personnel have left each of the promoted clubs, which won’t help them in their quests to remain a Premier League team past the 2024/25 season, either. Work will need to be done during the summer transfer window, and recruitment needs to be spot on to give them any chance against the strongest opposition in the league and those who have solidified their status over the last few seasons.
Of course, there is every chance that things can work out beyond a team’s wildest dreams. There are instances whereby Clubs have shocked everyone by outperforming themselves and achieving things that many wouldn’t have believed would happen. Brentford are probably a good example of this, as no one would have thought they would have been able to survive and then establish themselves over the last few seasons.
As mentioned, The Foxes surprised everyone with their Premier League success almost a decade ago. With Manchester City and Arsenal playing as well as they are, it’s unlikely we’ll see anything like that again, but that’s not to say we could see any of the three promoted teams challenge and disrupt the league’s standings positively and surprisingly come May next year.