The Premier League’s relegation battle already ramping up

With the Premier League’s 2025-26 campaign now in full swing, the focus at the top of the table is as intense as ever.

But beneath the surface of the wagers on the title race lies a different kind of drama — one that could define the future of some of English football’s proudest clubs. The relegation fight is already becoming a hot topic, with the early results proving that picking the teams to go down will be a lot more difficult this time around than in recent seasons.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best-backed teams in the Premier League betting to find themselves in the Championship in 2026-27.

Burnley

Burnley are no strangers to relegation dogfights, and they are expected to be there or thereabouts once again this season.

Scott Parker’s Clarets secured their first win of the season against fellow-promoted side Sunderland at Turf Moor a few weeks ago, but they lost three and drawn one to secure just four points at the time of writing.

Parker’s side have been unconvincing at times, including when thrashed 3-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in north London, and may rue the late penalty conceding against Liverpool to throw away a point at the death.

Wolves

It’s not just the newcomers feeling the heat. Wolves are another side being tipped to struggle, with a growing sense developing that the club’s decline could catch up with them this season. Summer exits have left the squad thinner, and losing firepower up front may prove costly.

Matheus Cunha is a particularly big loss, with the Brazilian joining Manchester United in the summer, and Vitor Pereira’s side are rooted to the bottom of the table without a single point from their opening five games.

It’s still early in the campaign, but Wolves already have ground to make up and relegation looks on the cards.

Brentford

Brentford, once the model of stability and smart recruitment, are also being dragged into the conversation. The departures of Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo, Mark Flekken and Christian Norgaard have cast doubt over their ability to stay afloat.

When you couple that with the fact that Yoane Wissa finally got his move to Newcastle United late in the window, it could be a very lean season for the west London club.

Keith Andrews, promoted from set-piece coach to manager when Frank departed for Spurs, has guided the Bees to just one point from their first five games, but is likely to be granted time by the club’s execs, who are probably one of the few to still have patience in the modern era.

West Ham

The Hammers’ season couldn’t have started any worse, with Graham Potter’s side losing four of their five games and conceding 13 times in the process—seven of which came in the first two games against Sunderland and city rivals Chelsea.

As a result, at the time of writing, West Ham sit second bottom of the table and will need a huge turnaround in form if they’re to avoid relegation this season.

Potter’s days look numbered at the London Stadium, with many believing that he should already be long gone, and Nuno Espirito Santo may be waiting in the wings after being sacked by Nottingham Forest.