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Each season in the Premier League usually differs considerably from the last. It's one of the most unpredictable and competitive leagues in the world, meaning that one slip-up - even from the giants (Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City) - could see all their work come tumbling down.
Take West Bromwich Albion, for instance; the Baggies looked set to be on the up after having finished their 2016/17 campaign in 10th place with a respectable 45 points. They strengthened their team over the summer and many expected them to challenge for Europe. However, by the end of the 2017/18 season, they had been relegated after a rock-bottom finish. This is just one of the many examples that illustrate the erratic nature of the league.
Newly-promoted sides often find themselves in a relegation scrap from the get-go, trying for the rest of the season to scramble out of the pit. When one of these sides does make it out, however, another team must take their place. We've seen some Premier League veteran sides face the drop in recent years (Newcastle United, West Ham, etc.) and we could be set to see that happen once more, based on how things are shaping up this year.
With that being said, let's take a look at the five teams most likely to be relegated from the Premier League.
#5 Cardiff City
Cardiff City have started off the season very poorly, yet to pick up a single win from their seven games played.
The month of August was a chance for everyone to gauge what level Cardiff were at, but two uneventful draws against Newcastle and Huddersfield saw heads begin to drop. There was a grain of hope going into the Bournemouth match at the end of the month, but this time they suffered a 2-0 defeat. The score was a real kick in the teeth to Neil Warnock's men, and has perhaps been the cause of their low morale since then.
It hasn't been any easier for the Bluebirds, though, with comprehensive defeats to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. Their most recent game against a floundering Burnley was seen as a real opportunity for Cardiff to show everyone what they're made of, but they lost 2-1.
There has been some complaints from fans regarding Neil Warnock as manager. Most people believe that his tactics are antiquated and easy to counter. With their lacklustre results so far this season, you can see why fans might think that.
Despite the fact that six players were signed in the summer, they were all mediocre at best. When you make the transition from the Championship to the Premier League, everybody knows that it's imperative that the manager strengthens the side as much as he can. Cardiff haven't done this, and are now facing the consequences.
Cardiff were always going to be at a disadvantage as they're the newly-promoted side adjusting to life in the Premier League. But with a start as dreadful as this, it will take a lot for them to fight back now. And with a long stretch of tough games ahead of them, one can only hope that their morale lifts sometime soon in order to see them through.
#4 Huddersfield
Like Cardiff, Huddersfield are yet to pick up a win from their seven games played so far this season. Their manager, David Wagner, has been touted as the Terriers' saviour, but is yet to show any sign of the magic he instilled in the side a few years back.
Huddersfield have been on a downward spiral for some time now. This was something that the board were clearly aware of, too, as they signed a total of nine players in the summer in order to try and strengthen their squad.
So far, things have not worked. The new signings have struggled to integrate and the players who were already at the club are simply far below the standard required of a Premier League side. David Wagner might be a good manager, but there's only so much a coach can do from the sidelines; at some point, the players must step up and take responsibility for their disheveled performances as of late.
Huddersfield's main issue is the fact that they are simply average. They finished 16th in the league last season, and despite an impressive start to the campaign, the mood at the Kirklees Stadium soon soured after a string of defeats which saw them slide down the table. This year, it seems to be much of the same, but the great start that propelled them up the division is yet to present itself, and may not do so at all; in which case, they look destined for the drop.
#3 Southampton
Last season, Southampton escaped the drop zone by a mere three points. They were abysmal for much of the campaign, but were saved at the death by Mark Hughes, who came in to secure a few points here and there; enough to see them have another season in the Premier League.
This year we're set to see much of the same from the Saints. They may have still performed better than the two teams already covered in this article, as they've managed to salvage two wins from seven, but the fact they're being dismantled in their defeats to sides that really shouldn't have so much control, speaks volumes.
You could make the case that Hughes is still adjusting to the new job and that the players are warming to his tactics, but if you've watched Southampton this season, you'll know that they've been abysmal. Even their two wins didn't come from a great performance; many have said that they were lucky to pick up the three points, and I'd be inclined to agree with them.
Southampton did have a productive summer transfer window, however, as they had signed the likes of Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard amongst others, both of whom have impressed thus far. But losing key players like Dusan Tadic, Sofiane Boufal and Jordy Clasie has been a huge blow to the Saints, and it's shown.
Attacking-wise, Southampton are quite strong. But defensively is where the main problem lies. They can score as many goals as they like, but if the rest of the squad is inadequate, you'll let in more than you score. That's simple to understand, but Southampton don't seem to have worked it out yet.
#2 Newcastle United
Newcastle are yet another team on this list who have failed to secure a win in their first seven games thus far. They have arguably one of the best managers in the division at the helm, Rafa Benitez, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for the players out on the pitch.
There appears to be a lack of chemistry in the Newcastle squad, and it shows each time they step out onto the pitch. And whilst they still score goals quite frequently, their shape and structure is warped, which allows the opposition to easily get through on goal, hence why the Magpies are yet to get three points. Their strike force is strong, but the rest of the team is considerably weak.
Newcastle signed seven players in the summer, but not a single one has settled yet. It's too early to tell whether they'll turn out to be great assets to the side, but if one was to pass judgement based off of the performances seen so far, they'd suggest that there's cause for concern.
#1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have been, for the most part, bang-average so far this season. They've managed to pick up one win from seven, against Manchester United no less! Many have said that it was a fluke, and based on how their performances have been since then, some might be inclined to agree.
The Seagulls finished 15th in the league last season, avoiding the drop by a mere seven points. The biggest issue that Brighton have is with their form. There doesn't appear to be any consistency to their performances at all. We've seen that already this season with their 3-2 victory over giants Manchester United, which was followed by a 2-0 defeat to Watford.
One win amongst a string of defeats and draws is simply not good enough, and if they want to survive for another campaign in the Premier League, they need to step up sooner rather than later.
Another outstanding issue with Brighton is the fact that they made 12 signings over the summer, spending a ridiculous amount of money, and expecting them to slot into the side as soon as the season kicks off. Of course, this didn't happen; instead, the first team has been drastically chopped and changed each match to try and find the best side. As a result, they've lost games that they should have really won, all because they're yet to find a formation that works with their abundance of new faces.
