The 2022/23 Premier League season is reaching its climax, and as things stand, nothing has yet been decided. Arsenal and Manchester City are going toe-to-toe in a title race for the ages, and one which looks as if it will go down to the wire. A whole host of teams are battling it out for Champions League qualification.
Perennial continental contenders Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, as are oil-rich Newcastle United. But surprisingly, Brighton, Brentford, and Fulham all also have an outside chance of a maiden season in European football’s elite football competition.
At the other end of the table, no fewer than eight teams are fighting to avoid falling through the trap door to the Championship next season. Here are our leading relegation candidates for the current season.
Everton
The latest Everton transfer news has made for depressing reading for fans of the Toffees. As such, it’s no surprise that the Blues are relegation candidates once again this season, just as they were last term. Last season, Frank Lampard managed to steer the club to safety, but he has since been dismissed and now former Burnley boss Sean Dyche has been charged with the task of keeping the Merseyside club’s head above water. On current form, that will be no easy feat.
Leeds United
Another team that was involved in the relegation dogfight last season was Leeds United. Under Jesse Marsch, the Yorkshire club managed to stave off the drop with a final-day victory over Brentford, with Jack Harrison thundering home a last-gasp winner.
This term, they too have parted company with their manager and have handed the reigns to former Watford manager Javi Gracia. Leeds’ squad is stacked with talented young players such as American duo Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie. But does youth have the fight required to secure Premier League status?
Southampton
But the team that leads the way when it comes to relegation candidates is Southampton. The Saints currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League table. The South Coast club has recently managed to pick up wins over Chelsea and Leicester City. But with games against Spurs, Manchester City, and Arsenal on the horizon, as well as a final-day game against Liverpool at St. Mary’s, the future is certainly looking bleak for new manager Rubén Sellés.
