The present Premier League backside three—Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton—have simply 43 factors mixed, the bottom whole ever recorded at this stage of the season.
For context, on the identical level final season, the eventual relegated groups—Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United—had 46 factors between them. They completed the marketing campaign with a mixed 66 factors, the bottom whole in Premier League historical past.
With solely 13 video games remaining, can this 12 months’s struggling sides keep away from setting a brand new undesirable file? Or are we witnessing the worst backside three in Premier League historical past?
Ruud Awakening for Leicester?
Leicester’s resolution to nominate Ruud van Nistelrooy raised a number of eyebrows. Why select such a comparatively inexperienced supervisor? What is evident is that his appointment is backfiring. Leicester have misplaced 4 consecutive league video games with out scoring a single purpose. Consequently, this has left Van Nistelrooy the bookies’ favorite to be the subsequent supervisor sacked.
Southampton: Derby’s File in Hazard?
Southampton’s struggles mirror these of Burnley final season—they had been dominant within the Championship and weak within the Premier League. Sacking Russell Martin and changing him with Croatian supervisor Ivan Jurić has didn’t spark a turnaround. With the Saints on simply 9 factors, Derby County followers are watching intently—is their notorious 11-point relegation file about to be damaged?
Ipswich: Funding Gone Incorrect?
Ipswich invested closely in the summertime however have little to point out for it. Their try and bridge the hole in high quality with new signings isn’t paying off. In consequence, they’re left struggling within the backside three and sit 5 factors from security.
The Championship-Premier League Divide: Greater Than Ever?
If all three promoted golf equipment go down this season, it can imply SIX consecutive relegations for promoted groups.
Much more telling, Everton had eight factors deducted final season, a punishment that might traditionally imply inevitable relegation. But, they survived comfortably. Regardless of the factors deduction, they completed 14 factors away from the drop zone.
One factor is evident – the hole between the Premier League and the Championship has by no means appeared larger.
Spending Huge: The Solely Option to Survive?
If you happen to take a look at the golf equipment which have managed to remain up after promotion, there’s a typical theme – huge spending. The final three golf equipment to get promoted and keep up:
- Nottingham Forest (2022) – Signed over 20 new gamers, spending £150m+ to overtake the squad.
- Fulham (2022) – Spent round £90m, bringing in gamers like João Palhinha, who reworked their midfield.
- Bournemouth (2022) – They spent £50m+ within the January switch window on essential signings equivalent to Antoine Semenyo.
In the meantime, for groups that fail to spend huge – like Southampton and Leicester – the hole in high quality is simply too huge to beat.
So, is overspending the one method for promoted groups to outlive? In that case, are golf equipment being pressured into unsustainable monetary dangers to keep away from speedy relegation?
A Damaged System?
If the underside three end with fewer than 66 factors mixed, they are going to formally be the worst backside three in Premier League historical past. Nevertheless, that is about extra than simply stats – it’s a part of a broader difficulty:
- The Premier League is pulling away from the Championship.
- Promoted groups are dropping straight again down at file charges.
- Parachute funds are reinforcing a cycle of yo-yo golf equipment.
- Groups that don’t spend closely have nearly no probability of survival.
Is that this an anomaly, or does the Premier League have to rethink how promotion, relegation and funds work?
One factor is evident – one thing wants to alter.
