With the Premier League and their Project Restart due to update next Monday, there have been serious conflicts of interest arising with at least one of the relegation candidates obstructing progress. There is a lot at stake here particularly at the bottom of the league.
Newcastle United and Southampton, who are in 13th and 14th, probably need just another win to ensure their survival. The Saints, in particular, look safe with 15-goal striker Danny Ings in the hunt for a Golden Boot.
Newcomers Norwich City and Aston Villa are joined by Bournemouth in the bottom three and the latest Premier League 2020 betting odds say they’ll stay there. However, Watford, West Ham, and Brighton are also deep in trouble.
Over the last five games, the bottom-six team have managed just five wins between them – one each with the exception of Brighton who have drawn a blank. So they were all banged in relegation form before the enforced break.
The head coaches will pitch this as the start of a new season to their players, with nine games to win their survival.
This is a Premier League competition between six teams.
Brighton & Hove Albion
The Seagulls’ Premier League 2020 results have been pretty dire and they have slid to within just two points from the drop zone.
Without a win in nine league games stretching back to 2019, they are lacking punch upfront.
For all the plaudits surrounding Graham Potter’s progressive style of management, Brighton are trying to draw their way to safety with a strong defence, led by the giant Lewis Dunk.
They have scored only two goals in the last four games but have been solid at the back. Potter was appointed to replace Chris Hughton who guided the Seagulls to safety last term only to be sacked, and he’ll be desperate to match that achievement.
His boss is doing his best to help as Chief Executive Paul Barber seems to be trying to stall a restart.
“We totally understand there are going to be compromises but what we can’t do is support something that will jeopardise our place in the Premier League,” said Barber.
I think you’ll find your team’s performances have already done that Paul!
West Ham United
At around odds of 3.00, the Hammers are in real danger of dropping out of the top flight, and that would spell disaster after another summer of big spending.
Pablo Fornals and Sebastien Haller have not lived up to their billing, and Fornals has said that there is a lot more to come. Well, level on points with 18th place, he has nine games to prove it.
David Moyes was parachuted in to steer the Hammers to safety in his second stint at the club, but he has registered just two wins in ten. A continuance of that form will leave them on 36 points.
Watford FC
When Nigel Pearson was appointed manager of Watford in December, more than a few eyebrows were raised (mine included), but he has confounded his critics.
Five wins from 14 games in their mid-table form has lifted the Hornets out of the bottom three when they were seemingly doomed.
The return of skipper Troy Deeney has been a huge boost and he was in belligerent mood in Watford’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool recently, scoring the third goal.
Pearson and Deeney is a formidable pair and they will definitely tough it out.
Bournemouth
Has time run out for Eddie Howe’s Cherries? Four successful campaigns in, the Premier League have been pretty much worry-free, but this season is anything but.
We like a side which can score goals here in the SBOBET football team, but fans also want their team to be able to defend.
The Cherries have taken just one point from the last four games, conceding nine goals in the process.
Centre-back Nathan Ake is a class act on the ball, but prone to errors and Howe is still relying on his attackers to score more than his defenders concede. Callum Wilson needs to step up, but midfield powerhouse Philip Billing could be the man to lead Bournemouth to safety
The Cherries are primed to battle with the Hammers for 17th place.
Aston Villa
Big-spending Aston Villa just haven’t cut the mustard with any regularity in the top flight. They have bolstered their team again in the January window, bringing in striker Mbwana Samatta.
But two crucial injuries in a recent game against Burnley, one to striker Wesley and the other more damaging to keeper Tom Heaton have unsettled the squad.
Skipper and Villa fan Jack Grealish is doing his best and has impressed, but the Villains were completely battered by Leicester City (4-0) before the break. The Villains are too reliant on Grealish.
Norwich City
The Canaries stormed the Championship last season and head coach Daniel Farke said he wouldn’t compromise his attacking style. I bet he would have if he had his time again!
The Premier League is tough and defensive errors cost goals and unfortunately, Norwich make plenty. They’ve conceded 52 and only Villa have shipped more and collected three quarters of their points at home.
Winger Todd Cantwell has been a bright spark but his team lacks the steel to win this fight.
Placing 19th would be a triumph from here for the Canaries.
So these are very nervous times for six clubs. I reckon five have a chance of survival but equally all six are in grave danger.
The Bundesliga is set to restart on May 15th and the other big three European Leagues will be watching closely. But some teams, not so secretly, will hope their own league doesn’t follow suit.
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