The threat of relegation keeps every fan base on its toes when it comes to the Premier League, especially with a recent champion, Leicester City getting dropped at the end of last season. None of these teams should be feeling particularly safe.
Crystal Palace
2022-23: 45 points, 11th place.
The skinny: Palace was the definition of a mid-table team last season, hovering right around 11th and 12th place for much of the campaign – despite going on a winless run of 12 games spanning two months. Eberechi Eze has emerged as the team’s new young stud, taking over from long-time talisman Wilfried Zaha, who has left as a free agent.
Big additions: Jefferson Lerma.
Big losses: Wilfried Zaha, Luka Milivojevic.
Big question: Is this it for Palace, a spot in the middle of the table with no hope of moving up?
Prediction: 11th place
Nottingham Forest
2022-23: 38 points, 16th place.
The skinny: In its first season back in the Prem, Forest underwent a massive overhaul, buying a massive 30 new players over the summer and winter transfer windows. While the returns were mixed, it was enough to keep the Tricky Trees up. This summer they’ve been far more restrained, though they’re still in the market for a ’keeper.
Big additions: Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga.
Big losses: Jesse Lingard, Andre Ayew.
Big question: After spending much of last season in the relegation zone, can it escape the drop again?
Prediction: 12th place
Burnley
2022-23: 101 points, first place in Championship.
The skinny: Led by Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany as their manager, the Clarets were dominant in the Championship last season, losing just three out of their 46 games. Burnley scored the most goals in the league (87) while allowing the fewest (35). The Premier League is a step up for sure, but this team should be set for another stay in the top flight.
Big additions: Zeki Amdouni, Jordan Beyer.
Big losses: Ashley Barnes.
Big question: Will a bigger club come calling for the high-profile Kompany?
Prediction: 13th place
Brentford
2022-23: 59 points, ninth place.
The skinny: From playing in the fourth-tier League Two 15 years ago to finishing in the top half of the table, the Bees are a team on the rise. Their nine losses were tied for fifth-fewest in the league last year and the team looked solid in both attack and defending, with David Raya leading the league in saves (154).
Big additions: Mark Flekken, Kevin Schade, Nathan Collins.
Big losses: None yet.
Big question: How will it with top-scorer Ivan Toney’s lengthy suspension for gambling on soccer matches?
Prediction: 14th place
Everton
2022-23: 36 points, 17th place.
The skinny: The Toffees are one of six clubs to have played in every Premier League season since it was founded in 1992 but that nearly came to an end. Everton looked destined for relegation before final saving itself in the final month of the season. Manager Sean Dyche will look to build off that late push but this team still needs a lot of work.
Big additions: Arnaut Danjuma, Ashley Young.
Big losses: Yerry Mina.
Big question: After scoring the second-fewest goals in the league last year, can Everton improve its attack and stay up again?
Prediction: 15th place
Fulham
2022-23: 52 points, 10th place.
The skinny: The Cottagers pulled themselves out of the yo-yo cycle and comfortably avoided the drop this time around. Joao Palhinha emerged as a star in their midfield and has garnered interest from some top clubs including Liverpool, despite suffering a pre-season shoulder injury.
Big additions: Raul Jimenez, Calvin Bassey.
Big losses: None yet.
Big question: Will Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian get their wishes and be granted lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia?
Prediction: 16th place
Bournemouth
2022-23: 39 points, 15th place.
The skinny: Perhaps improbably, the Cherries survived their first season back in the Premier League. The numbers weren’t pretty: Bournemouth tied for the third-most losses (21), third-most goals allowed (71), had the second-worst goal differential (-34) and its 9-0 defeat against Liverpool is tied for the worst in Premier League history.
Big additions: Hamed Traore, Milos Kerkez.
Big losses: Jefferson Lerma, Junior Stanislas.
Big question: With no substantial improvements made, can it somehow beat relegation again?
Prediction: 17th place
Sheffield United
2022-23: 91 points, second place in Championship.
The skinny: The Blades are back in the Premier League after two years in the Championship and will look to improve after finishing last their previous time up. Sheffield comfortably finished second in England’s second tier while boasting the third-best attack and second-best defence.
Big additions: Anis Slimane, Benie Traore.
Big losses: Iliman Ndiaye.
Big question: With top-scorer Iliman Ndiaye sold to Marseille, how will the Blades replace his scoring output?
Prediction: 18th place
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2022-23: 41 points, 13th place.
The skinny: Heading into the mid-season World Cup break, Wolves sat at the bottom of the table. New manager Julien Lopetegui used that layoff to whip the team into shape and climb the table. But, despite finishing 13th, Wolves scored the fewest goals in the league (31) and lost joint top-scorer Ruben Neves to Saudi Arabia.
Big additions: Matheus Cunha, Matt Doherty.
Big losses: Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins, Raul Jimenez.
Big question: Where are the goals going to come from?
Prediction: 19th place
Luton Town
2022-23: 80 points, third place in Championship.
The skinny: Thanks to a run that saw the Hatters lose just two league games since the start of 2023, they’re back in the top flight for the first time since 1991-92. The outlook isn’t looking too good though. Even their home ground, Kenilworth Road, is woefully unprepared and the team has already asked for one game to be postponed.
Big additions: Tahith Chong, Marvelous Nakamba, Thomas Kaminski.
Big losses: None yet.
Big question: With roughly 3-1 odds that it will be relegated, can the underdog Hatters prove everyone wrong?
Prediction: 20th place