The Premier League has been no stranger to roller coaster rides in terms of the league standings, especially in the bottom half of the table. This season has been no different either, as several strong teams are facing the struggle of languishing in dangerous territories. Although most of them are expected to recover themselves come the end of the season, some will remain as shocking contenders for relegation one way or another.
Considering the fact that there are only five points separating the tenth placed Southampton to relegation threated Bournemouth, a lot could happen between now and the end of this new season. In this article, we will talk about three Premier League teams who could be shocking relegation contenders come the latter parts of the season.
Leicester City
It would be quite an astonishing prospect to see 2015-16’s Premier League champions getting relegated just two seasons following their historic league triumph and Leicester City are on the verge of doing just that.
Leicester City are deep trouble this season, as the Foxes have managed only two wins in their nine games so far. Ever since the sacking of Claudio Ranieri as head coach, Leicester City have clearly struggled to find a clear identity which could drive them forward week in week out. That lack of identity has left them stuttering in the league this campaign.
The Foxes are yet to announce their next manager but either way, they are expected to hover around the relegation places the entire season.
West Brom
Perhaps not as shocking inclusion in this list, West Brom has been around the rigours of the Premier League for quite some time now. Over the years, the Baggies have somehow managed to stay clear of relegation despite having terrible seasons and considering the fact that their manager Tony Pulis hasn’t yet been relegated in his career, one would find it wiser to bet surviving the drop this time as well.
However, things are entirely different this season. Despite standing at a respectable 13th place in the league table, the Baggies might face tougher problems during the course of the season. One of which, could be their lack of creativity.
Generally, Pulis relies a lot on set-pieces, which often becomes very effective, but to consistently score from set pieces is incredibly difficult. Nacer Chadli is their only real creative force in the attack and as long as they remain reluctant to bring in reinforcements in the attacking department, they are sure to remain as relegation candidates for the season.
Everton
The most surprising inclusion in this list, but at the same time, the most logical one as well.
Following a spending spree in the summer, Everton astonishingly failed to deliver what was expected of them at the start of the season.
Nine matchdays into the season, Everton are dawdling around the relegation places with 8 points in nine games, which has forced the board to sack head coach Ronald Koeman. David Unsworth is currently the interim boss for the Toffies, but looking at the way things are going right now, Everton are more than expected to be in the relegation places for quite some time now.
