Premier League Relegation Tip 2015-16: West Ham

If you’re looking for a team to be relegated from the Premier League at a pretty big price you should give plenty of consideration to West Ham United.

The Hammers endured a torrid second half to last season, obtaining just 16 points from their final 19 matches. To put that in perspective, both Burnley (17) and Hull (19) did better than that over the same period, yet both of them are beginning life in the Championship now.

Of course the owners will say this was down to Sam Allardyce, who has now departed. But we shouldn’t forget how every club Big Sam has managed went on to do worse without him.

Bolton went from four consecutive top 10 finishes to the drop in just a few seasons. But Notts County, Newcastle and Blackburn were all relegated after parting company with Allardyce as well.

Admittedly, Slaven Bilic will have the fans’ backing upon his arrival having enjoyed a successful stint as a player at Upton Park. But in the modern Premier League, that’s absolutely no guarantee of success. The Croatian did well for his national side and Besiktas, but he failed as a manager for Lokimotiv Moscow.

The Londoners also have the albatross of Europa League football to contend with. West Ham began their season on July 2 and the competition has already thrown up some unwelcome results and disciplinary issues. To make matters worse, Enner Valencia appears to have sustained a serious injury.

You only have to look at what the Europa League did to Everton and Hull’s league form last term for further evidence of what problems could lie ahead. The Tigers went down and the Hammers could follow next May at best odds of 15/2 with StanJames.