Injury-hit Bournemouth tempting tips at 12/5 for relegation
Published:Holly Thackeray | October 16th
Bournemouth can be backed at a brilliant price for Premier League relegation
Currently languishing rock bottom in the relegation zone are three of English football’s most familiar top-flight teams. Big names Aston Villa (4/6), Newcastle United (11/10) and Sunderland (2/9) are all now either odds-on or short prices with Coral to topple into the Championship. However, there may be better value teams worth backing to tumble through the trap door…
The Villans, Magpies and even the Mackems all spent significant money in summer and, having all escaped relegation before in recent seasons, should eventually have the quality to claw themselves away from trouble.
As for other options worth a wager, look no further than Bournemouth. The newly-promoted Cherries are intriguing at 12/5 to choke on their big opportunity, with their thin squad set to be challenged by an injury crisis.
Much of the south coast side’s best play has revolved around a rampant Callum Wilson, as the Englishman scored six of the Goldsands side’s 11 Premier League strikes before being sidelined for at least six months.
Without their leading scorer, the south coast club are expected to struggle, and other key cogs resigned to the treatment table include inspirational skipper Tommy Elphick, wily winger Max Gradel, record signing Tyrone Mings and Irishman Harry Arter. Ouch, that is some injury list.
While Eddie Howe may have been able to navigate the Championship with limited resources, the Premier League is a different beast entirely, making Bournemouth good value to bid goodbye to the top tier.
West Bromwich Albion lack marksman magic
The Baggies’ failure to find the net is yet more damaging, as West Brom have managed just six strikes, the same as net-shy bottom-placed Newcastle.
It may still be early in the season, but a goal difference of minus five should set alarm bells ringing. While Villa and Sunderland below them do possess proven scorers, Albion have just Saido Berahino in form. So odds of 13/5 for Pulis’ team to slip out of the Premier League are worth a shot.
Canaries could easily go off song
Norwich City (3/1 make an immediate Championship return) have had a spirited start to life in the top-flight but, crucially, the Canaries are still only on nine points, just five above the drop zone.
Like many Premier League new boys before them, good performances have failed to translate into tangible results too often, which can be an early warning sign of impending capitulation.
Games against the likes of Crystal Palace were thrown away with sloppy mistakes, while the Carrow Road club face a formidable end of season run-in featuring fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester United.
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Betting tip: Bournemouth at 12/5 for Premier League relegation