Premier League 2019-20: relegation predictions, betting, tips and odds

Job search website CV Library recently released the findings of a survey which found Brighton to be the happiest place to live and work in the UK.

A prodigious 86.4 per cent of working professionals from the seaside resort claimed to be happy on a daily basis, but those Brighton football fans who consistently have a smile on their face may be feeling more glum come the end of the season.

Graham Potter will need to work his magic at Brighton

Swansea came second in the poll which leads us on nicely to Albion's new manager Graham Potter, who has swapped life in the Valleys in an attempt to make Brighton rock, and may have realised he was happier staying put.

Potter's success at Swansea was seen more on the pitch than in the league table as his constant rotation of players made them a joy to watch in the Sky Bet Championship despite finishing only tenth. It was still a fine effort considering the firesale which took place.

Brighton believe Potter will be able to improve their current squad after Chris Hughton led the Seagulls to safety in 17th spot with 36 points.

If Potter can't then Brighton are a juicy bet to be relegated.

They scored only 12 times from open play last season and also missed the fewest big chances in the Premier League so it's not as if Albion left plenty on the table.

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Glenn Murray bettered his goal tally from the season before, taking him to 25 goals in two Premier League seasons. It's a wonderful, possibly remarkable, achievement given his lack of pace, but the veteran is 36 in September and needs help.

Centre-back Shane Duffy (with five goals) was Albion's second most prolific Premier League marksman and the Seagulls will be in a world of pain if new arrival Leandro Trossard flops as so many of the 2018-19 signings did.

It is possible Potter will improve the likes of Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Yves Bissouma, Bernardo and Florin Andone, none of whom seemed to be consistent first-teamers for Hughton as all of them failed to hit 20 league starts despite costing hefty sums.

Albion won just two league matches in 2019 and were helped to survival by the feeble attempts of Huddersfield and Fulham, while Cardiff ultimately were just not good enough.

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Brighton's start looks lovely on paper - Watford, West Ham and Southampton - but they may chuck away easy points if they take time to adjust to Potter's methods with a back three used in the most recent friendly at Birmingham.

Sheffield United have it all on to maintain their Premier League status but Chris Wilder's offensive approach may catch opponents unawares early doors, while Norwich are boosted by the statistic of the last five Sky Bet Championship champions staying up in the following Premier League season.

Jack Grealish and John McGinn boost Aston Villa's chances of staying up

Aston Villa are a more interesting newly-promoted club from a value point of view.

Playoff winners would not normally be such a big price to be relegated, but they are showing ambition and possess two chic midfielders in John McGinn and Jack Grealish.

Burnley box clever under Sean Dyche and have decent scoring options in Jay Rodriguez, Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood; Bournemouth bagged 56 goals last term too and there's enough in the Southampton, Crystal Palace and Watford ranks to avoid the dreaded drop.

The same cannot be said of Newcastle, who have been the subject of a summer relegation market move and they can land the gamble after owner Mike Ashley took a gigantic risk in allowing manager Rafael Benitez to walk away.

Many on Tyneside believe Benitez was the significant difference in organising a limited squad to punch above their weight and Steve Bruce has a hazardous assignment replacing a man who has won the Champions League, Europa League and La Liga.

Recommended on July 29
Brighton
2pts 2-1 Hills
Newcastle
1pt 9-4 bet365, Sky Bet

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