The curtains have been raised, Arsenal go into the season with bragging rights following their victory over Chelsea in the community shield and in a couple of days from now, our weekends will never remain the same again for a long while. Since the last game of the 2014/2015 season ended in May, we have had various football tournaments stand in gap from the FIFA U20 championship, the Women’s world cup, Copa America, the Gold cup and even preseason fixtures but none has come close to the frenzy, absolute thrill, edge of our seats excitement and fans rivalry that the EPL offers especially with the stakes getting higher every season.

With Mourinho seeking to retain the league yet again, LVG determined to win something with United before he finally retires and justify his big spending, Wenger feeling close to the title after 11 long years of drought and Pellegrini keen to get a hold on the title once again after a disappointing campaign last time around, added to this is the introduction of Friday night games which will further expand the brand that is already claimed as the best in the world. This season also has a lot of players with more than a point to prove, with Jose’s recent comments on Hazard being only bettered by Messi in the world, he would have to show that last season’s phenomenal performance was no fluke whilst Raheem Sterling will need to hit the ground running as he seeks to repay City who broke the transfer record for a British player, there has also been lot of activities as customary in the transfer window with teams strengthening their squads. Ladies and Gentlemen, clear your weekend calendars, set the dates, football season is back.

This is a preview into the three teams that may likely get relegated when the league curtains draws to a close come 2016.

2015/16 SEASON, LIKELY TEAMS TO BE RELEGATED:

Bournemouth: Since the EPL came into existence in the 1992/93 season, 44% of promoted teams have been relegated in their first season, although there was the case of Ipswich Town in the 2000/2001 season where they finished fifth in their first season up but got relegated the following season, this has been the exception rather than the norm. AFC Bournemouth will enter the record books as the smallest club that will feature in the history of the league with a stadium capacity of just 11,700, the rise of a team that nearly got liquidated in 2008 with supporters taking to the streets seeking alms to salvage the club. Coach Eddie Howe has managed to turn the fortunes of the club around amassing 90 points to win the Championship and gain promotion to the top division for the very first time in the clubs history and at a time where the EPL and Sky Sports just signed the biggest TV rights deal ever, they would get a fair share of increased finances. In preparing for the big league, this team with its own brand of exciting football has secured the services of the likes of Christian Atsu, Joshua King and Sylvian Distin all of who have experienced top flight football before but they would need more than these players if they are to stand a chance, but I still think as their nickname suggest, this ‘cherry’ is there for the picking and they are likely candidates for relegation come end of the season.
Watford FC: Of the three teams that gained promotion, Watford conceded the most number of goals, finishing as runners up in the championship was largely down to their attacking football and a 3-5-2 formation which may not be that dependable in the top flight on a wider surface with more technical players or on a cold night at Stoke. Watford have had two Premier League stints in the past finishing bottom of the table in both the 2000/01 and 2006/07 seasons. Despite having recently announced the appointment of former Europa League winner Enrique Sanchez Flores as the new Head Coach taking over from Slavisa Jokanovic who helped them secure promotion, the club has been quite busy in the transfer market with notable names like Mulumbu from WestBrom, Brady from Hull City and Wisdom joining on loan from Liverpool, which seems to have focused majorly on strengthening their defense, they however need to have more firepower upfront as over reliance on top scorer Troy Deeny and Odion Ighalo who produced decent numbers may be worth same as Charlie Austin’s goals for QPR.
Leicester City: The Foxes managed to survive relegation last season with a late inspired surge by Nigel Pearson’s boys where they went on a winning run of five wins in 6 games to be assured of the sacking of Pearson came as a surprise to many and his replacement Claudio Ranieri despite having an impressive CV and Premiership experience as coach of Chelsea in 2004/05 seems like an uninspired choice. The team has also lost the services of one of their stand out performers from the last season in Esteban Cambiasso who has refused to renew his contract, whilst they have secured the services of veteran Robert Huth and Shinji Okazaki, the tinker man will have to literally pull a rabbit out of the hat if they are to retain their premiership spot come end of the season.
This indeed will be an interesting season and it kicks off on August 8th 2015.

- See more at: http://thequaintmag.com/2015/08/epl-returns-likely-teams-to-get-relegated/#sthash.6E7vnd48.dpuf