Relegation battle in the Premier League 24/25: Top Contenders
Let’s set the record straight.
Southampton are already mathematically relegated with seven games to go — setting a new Premier League low. Two more clubs look set to join them soon, fully living up to the bookmakers’ early predictions.
So who’s going down? Can Leicester or Ipswich still escape? And what on earth are Man City doing in this picture? We break it all down — and, of course, highlight the best betting options.
Premier League Relegation Odds
For the second straight year, Premier League relegation is looming for clubs promoted from the Championship just last season. These three were ranked as favourites for the drop before a ball was even kicked — and for the second year running, the bookies look to be spot-on. But let’s not jump ahead just yet.
Candidates to be relegated
Let’s be honest — the only real drama left is the potential relegation of Manchester City. The odds reflect that uncertainty.
Leicester and Ipswich: 99% Guaranteed
Back in 2014–15, Leicester City were bottom of the table in mid-April but pulled off a miracle run to survive in 14th. This time, it’s a different story. History shows that once the gap to safety reaches more than 6–8 points with six games to go, survival becomes highly unlikely.
Leicester City trail 17th place by a symbolic 17 points, while Ipswich are 14 points adrift. No team in Premier League history has ever overcome such a deficit this late in the season.
The Foxes lost head coach Enzo Maresca and key midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the summer — a double blow that shaped their season. Steve Cooper was replaced mid-season by Ruud van Nistelrooy, but it hasn’t sparked a revival. Leicester have earned just eight points in 18 games under the Dutchman — half of those in his first two matches. They only just snapped a long, goalless losing streak with a draw.
Ipswich Town finally claimed their first league win in November — a shock victory over the Spurs in matchday 11. Two more followed in December, including a memorable 2–0 against Chelsea — their first top-flight home win in 22 years. But that spark didn’t last. They took just two points from their next ten games, including a defeat to already-relegated Southampton and four consecutive losses before March. A 2:1 win at Bournemouth and a draw at Chelsea offered fleeting hope, but with West Ham and Wolves close to safety, the drop now looks inevitable.
Man City: A Deus Ex Machina
So far, no Premier League club has ever been relegated or disqualified in a Juventus-style punishment. Even in 1915, when Manchester United and Liverpool were involved in a match-fixing scandal, both clubs were spared severe punishment due to their players’ service in World War I.
Still, points deductions are no longer unheard of — just ask Everton or Nottingham Forest, who were hit with penalties last season. Manchester City’s case over alleged financial rule breaches is expected to be resolved this summer. Until then, the shadow of an unprecedented sanction looms.
Wolverhampton and West Ham: Are they really that far out of reach?
The Wolves struggled early in the campaign, prompting Gary O’Neil’s dismissal before Christmas. Vitor Pereira’s arrival led to seven points from his first three games, but five losses in the next six followed. Now, form has improved dramatically — ten wins overall, including five in their last seven. They’re 14 points clear of the drop with six to go, and their superior goal difference only strengthens their survival odds.
We’re confident Wolves will stay up. West Ham, however, are wobbling — five games without a win, including three defeats. It’s surprising they’re rated safer than Wolves by some bookies. Their upcoming fixtures include tough clashes with Manchester United, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, and direct rivals Ipswich.
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Chelsea
Everton
Bayern Munich
Mainz 05
Newcastle
Ipswich
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Leicester
