BOTTOM FEEDERS
With the new EPL season upon us, we break down the 10 teams that will fill out the bottom of the table in Part 1 of our preview
Since Leicester City shocked the world and made their incredible run and won the Premier League in 2016 as a 2,000-1 underdog, it reinforced that just about anything can happen in football.
While we don’t see a story like that happening again anytime soon, we would be a bit foolish to rule it out. But, for every Cinderella story, you have to remember there are a lot more ugly stepsisters invited to the ball.
Here are the teams that should be battling relegation and filling out the bottom of the table.
Bournemouth
2016-17: Ninth place, 46 points
The skinny: The Cherries scored the seventhmost goals with 55, one more than Manchester United last season. The problem was that only three teams conceded more. Norwegian international Joshua King blossomed into a real threat, scoring 16 goals to pace that potent attack.
Biggest news: Bought Nathan Ake, who impressed so much in the first half of last season with the Cherries that he was recalled from loan by Chelsea. Big question: Can it tighten up the defence and actually make a run at the top half of the table? Key arrivals: Asmir Begovic, Nathan Ake, Jermain Defoe Key departures: Lewis Grabban Prediction: 11th, with lots of highscoring exciting games. Newcastle United 2016-17: First in Championship, 94 points The skinny: After spending a season in the second tier, the Magpies bounced right back up thanks to a strong team and overqualified manager in Rafa Benitez. With some new additions and Benitez’s guidance, Newcastle shouldn’t have too much trouble staying up.
Biggest news: Had a relatively quiet summer, with the Magpies’ biggest acquisition arguably the signing of Mikel Merino on loan from Dortmund.
Big question: How will owner Mike Ashley embarrass himself this time around? Key arrivals: Christian Atsu, Florian Lejeune, Javier Manquilo, Mikel Merino Key departures: Florian Thauvin, Vurnon Anita, Yoan Gouffran Prediction: 12th, but it’s closer to relegation than contenders for European places. West Bromwich Albion 2016-17: 10th place, 45 points
The skinny: The Baggies were the definition of mediocre in the Premier League last year, sitting in eighth place from the beginning of 2017 until midMay before dropping to 10th thanks to a nine-game winless streak to end the campaign. Even manager Tony Pulis’ usually stout defence was average, finishing ninth in goals allowed.
Biggest news: New signing Jay Rodriguez, who came over from Southampton, has impressed in the pre-season. Big question: Does Pulis have any tricks up his sleeve, or will the Baggies remain mired in mid-table mediocrity? Key arrivals: Jay Rodriguez, Ahmed Hegazi Key departures: Darren Fletcher Prediction: 13th and an outside chance that Pulis is the first manager sacked this season.
Crystal Palace 2016-17: 14th place, 41 points
The skinny: While the Eagles had a strong attack, featuring 15-goal scorer Christian Benteke and dynamic winger Wilfried Zaha, the defence wasn’t up to snuff for ex-England manager Sam Allardyce. Another factor working against Palace: Its 11 home losses were tied for the most in the league with relegated
Sunderland. Biggest news: Hired former Ajax and Inter Milan manager Frank De Boer to replace Big Sam, who retired. Big question: Will De Boer’s switch to a 3-4-3 system similar to Chelsea’s pay dividends, or be a setback for the team? Key arrivals: Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jairo Riedewald Key departures: Steve Mandanda Prediction: 14th and some growing pains thanks to its switch in tactics. Stoke City 2016-17: 13th place, 44 points. The skinny: It was another year, another mid-table finish for a Stoke City team that you honestly can’t expect much more from. But instead of finishing ninth for the fourth year running, the Potters dropped to 13th. It should also be noted that Stoke only beat one team above it in the table — Southampton on the final day of the season — and five of its 11 wins came against relegated teams. Biggest news: Marko Arnautovic, who is about as streaky as they come in terms of form, was sold to West Ham. Big question: How far can a team expect to get with 36-year-old
Peter Crouch — who only had seven goals last season — as its top scorer?
Key arrivals: Darren Fletcher, Kurt Zouma, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Key departures: Marko Arnautovic, Jonathan Walters, Phil Bardsley
Prediction: 15th and manager Mark Hughes likely doesn’t make it through the season.
Brighton & Hove Albion
2016-17: Second in Championship, 93 points The skinny: Though the Seagulls finished second in the Championship, they had clinched their promotion with three games to play and coasted across the finish line. Thanks to a strong attack that featured four double-digit goal scorers, BHA was sitting either first or second from midOctober onward.
Biggest news: Brought in Aussie international Mathew Ryan as their top keeper after letting David Stockdale, who had missed just one game in two years, leave for free.
Big question: Will manager Chris Hughton’s return to the top flight go better than his time with Norwich, during which he accumulated a record of 24-23-35?
Key arrivals: Mathew Ryan, Davy Propper Key departures: None Prediction: 16th and a season-long fight to stay in the Premier League.
Watford
2016-17: 17th place, 40 points.
The skinny: Usually, when a manager sees his team get relegated, he isn’t eagerly snapped up by a top-flight team, but that is the case with new Hornets boss Marco Silva. While he failed to save Hull City last season, he earned plaudits for his work — which could be valuable experience for this year’s Watford side.
Biggest news: Bolstered its midfield with the signings of Tom Cleverley, Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah. Big question: Will Silva improve the Hornets’ sting in attack? Watford was fifth-worst in scoring for 2016-17 with just 40 goals. Key arrivals: Andre Gray, Will Hughes, Tom Cleverley, Nathaniel Chalobah Key departures: Steven Berghuis Prediction: 17th and a lot of sweating out the relegation battle until the end of the season.
Swansea City 2016-17: 15th place, 41 points.
The skinny: Went through three managers — including a disastrous stint under American Bob Bradley — and spent most of the season in the relegation zone, securing safety thanks to a five-game unbeaten streak to end the season.
Biggest news: Top scorer Fernando Llorente will miss at least the first two games of the season after breaking his arm in a cycling accident.
Big question: How will the Swans stay up without
talismanic Icelander Gylfi Sigurdsson, who is reportedly set for a move to Everton? Key arrivals: Tammy Abraham, Roque Mesa Key departures: Borja Baston, Jordi Amat
Prediction: 18th, but with a good chance to bounce right back up the following season.
Burnley 2016-17: 16th place, 40 points
The skinny: Though the Clarets scored the fewest goals of any team that wasn’t relegated last year with 39, Burnley was never in any real danger of going down. That’s thanks to some solid defending and some match-stealing performances by keeper Tom Heaton, which put him on the national team’s radar. Biggest news: Sold star centre back Michael Keane for a fee that could rise to $49 million. Big question: If things turn south, how long will the club stick with longtime manager Sean Dyche, despite his past success? Key arrivals: Jonathan Walters, Jack Cork, Phil Bardsley Key departures: Michael Keane, Andre Gray
Prediction: 19th and not enough goals to go with Heaton’s heroics. Huddersfield Town 2016-17: Fifth in Championship, 81 points The skinny: Somewhat unbelievably, the Terriers made the leap to the Premier League despite having a goal differential of minus-2 last season. Huddersfield Town limped into the playoffs and then won its two rounds on penalties. During the season, the Terriers were just 13th in the Championship in scoring and ninth in goals against — very unimpressive.
Biggest news: Signed Australian international Aaron Mooy and Benin forward Steve Mounie to bolster roster.
Big question: How on earth can this team hope to stay up?
Key arrivals: Aaron Mooy, Tom Ince, Steve Mounie Key departures: None Prediction: 20th place and a harsh dose of reality in the Premier League.