Premier League Relegation Treble 2015-16

One of the more enjoyable predictions you can make before a ball is kicked in the Premier League is naming the three teams who will drop out of the division next May.

As always, the three promoted teams are the three favourites to return to the Championship but it’s almost unheard of for all three to go down. Indeed, last season was the first time in seven years when more than one of the newcomers (Burnley and QPR) succumbed.

In the six seasons prior, at least two ‘established’ teams were relegated and I think this could happen again in 2015-16.

We have already made the bold call - according to the odds - that West Ham are bound for the bottom three, but a second pretty big team also looks in peril. Aston Villa finished 17th last term, in the campaigns before that they managed 15th twice and 16th once. In other words, they have barely survived four years running.

The disaster which has unfolded this summer is that Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph have departed leaving behind a chasm. The Belgium scored 42 of the club’s 105 top flight goals from September 2012 onwards while the former captain was the key figure in midfield.

Ron Vlaar declined a new contract and has left while Tom Cleverley opted for Everton despite a decent loan spell at Villa Park. Even the exit of Andreas Weimann sees one of the few contributors of goals in recent times disappear.

Tim Sherwood had a great impact upon his arrival but that initial mojo may have already fizzled out. Last season ended with a 6-1 hammering at Southampton followed by a 1-0 loss to Burnley before the 4-0 capitulation in the FA Cup Final. Adebayor may arrive, but he’s not the person many of us would choose to turn to in a dogfight.

Our final selection is less of a surprise. Watford have the least stability of any of the promoted clubs having rattled through five coaches in 12 months. It’s hard to envisage Quique Flores surviving the inevitable tough times ahead and you wonder what top manager would really want to work for the Pozzo family.

The Hornets aren’t overly blessed with Premier League quality players as it is and they therefore complete our relegation treble - a best price 100/1 shot with Bet365.