The Premier League is back for a new season, with action, thrills and stunning goals from both sides. Manchester City and Liverpool got the campaign off to a perfect start before the international break, but the newly promoted sides have thrown in a few surprises. Premier League Betting In the early days.
In fact, all three new teams have performed well and will be looking to avoid an immediate return to the Championship. Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all looking to establish themselves as regulars in the top flight and it will be interesting to see whether their new signings can deliver in what could be a tricky run of form between now and the festive period.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the first few games of the season and assess whether they can avoid relegation in May. Read on for more details.
Leicester City
At the time of writing, Leicester City are one point clear of the Premier League (a brave draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur) but it is their performances off the pitch that will have fuelled optimism among Foxes fans as they clinch the PSR title this season.
Many believed Leicester would be relegated immediately after losing Enzo Maresca and suffering the inevitable points deduction from the league, and that they would become a yo-yo club despite years of success in the top flight. However, a successful appeal against financial rule breaches means they will avoid any punishment this season.
It’s encouraging news for new boss Steve Cooper, who moved to the East Midlands after previously working at Nottingham Forest, and the spotlight can now turn to football at the King Power Stadium as Leicester try to make a run at overcoming relegation.
Wackswitch Town
Championship runners-up Ipswich Town have had an unfortunate return to the Premier League. The Tractor Boys are back in the big league for the first time since 2004, but were unlucky to draw against Liverpool and Manchester City in their opening games.
There were encouraging signs in the opening 45 minutes against the Reds, with many hoping the crowd would clinch a shock win, but Arne Slot’s men showed too much quality in the game that eventually ended in a 2-0 win. Then against City, Ipswich were in dreamland when they snatched the lead from the champions. But City’s quick reaction and Erling Haaland’s hat-trick showed top-level ruthlessness.
Kieran McKenna is a top manager and his team fought hard to secure a draw with Fulham. They lack experience and if players like Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson (the most top-flight appearance-makers in the squad) don’t feature regularly, it could ultimately be costly.
Southampton
One of the forgotten names among the newly promoted teams, Southampton have been nothing but deceitful so far, failing to pick up a single point after defeats to Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford.
On paper, the Saints looked the best placed of the three teams for survival, with a great mix of leadership and energy. But Russell Martin’s team were not quite in sync.
There is still plenty of time left, but with a tricky schedule of away games against Arsenal and Manchester City scheduled before the next international break, Southampton need to pick up points quickly or risk relegation to bottom of the table.
