Premier League Super Computer condemned three teams to relegation, but Wolves may be safe

Christmas is a joyous occasion for many, but some of the Premier League's lower-ranked teams may have slightly muted celebrations.

This season's relegation battle is already starting to take shape with 17 matchweeks remaining ahead of 2025.

Southampton are bottom of the table at Christmas with just one win to their name along with a whopping 13 defeats.

Ipswich Town, playing in the Premier League for the first time since 2002, are above them with 12 points out of a possible 51.

Wolves are only ahead of the Tractor Boys on goal difference in the first of three relegation places amid a shaky campaign.

With the midway point of the season just around the corner, Opta supercomputer has predicted which teams could be relegated.

Southampton – 20

A disastrous return to the Premier League for Southampton has seen them fall to the bottom of the table with a whimper.

The Saints recently fired Russell Martin and announced Ivan Juric as his successor, although it might be too little, too late.

According to Opta, there is a 97.8 percent chance that Southampton will be relegated to the Championship this season.

Only four clubs that were bottom of the table at Christmas have survived in the 32 Premier League seasons so far.

West Brom, Sunderland, Leicester City and Wolves have all done so, but Saints look unlikely to join them in 2025.

The newly appointed Juric arrives at a club that is eight points from safety and has conceded the third most goals with 36.

6

However, his first five games in charge present an opportunity for improvement, starting with West Ham in 14th place on Boxing Day.

They will then face Crystal Palace and Brentford, but subsequent tests against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will be difficult.

Ipswich Town – 19

After more than a decade away from the English top flight, Ipswich have certainly received a stiff welcome by returning in a big way.

They have won two games so far, including a surprising 2-1 victory at Tottenham, while drawing Aston Villa and United.

However, there have been heavy defeats to Manchester City, West Ham and Newcastle and they are certainly in contention to go down.

Choose to predict a 76.9 percent chance of Kieran McKenna's team, which leaves them a clear distance ahead of Southampton.

6

Ipswich are just two points away from finishing out of the bottom three and have quality players capable of helping them achieve that.

Liam Delap has scored six goals in 16 appearances since his summer signing, and Leif Davis remains an exciting talent to watch.

However, their upcoming matches could prove to be a hurdle with both Arsenal and Chelsea awaiting them over the festive period.

A trip to Fulham is followed by a visit to Brighton before City arrive at Portman Road at the end of January.

Wolves – 18

After a ten-game winless streak, Wolves finally achieved their first Premier League victory of the season on 9 November.

However, three points have only been achieved twice since then, with Gary O'Neil relieved of his duties earlier this month.

6

The Wolves have conceded 40 goals so far this season, the worst record of the 20 teams in the top flight.

Despite this, he kept a clean sheet on Sunday when he traveled to Leicester and won 3-0 in Vitor Pereira's first game as manager.

The former Porto, Fenerbahce and Al Shabab coach will be aware of the quality of Matheus Cunha, who has scored nine goals this season.

Jorgen Strand Larsen has also been one of the club's biggest signings, with the Norwegian scoring six since arriving on loan from Celta Vigo.

But Wolves have a series of tough games on the horizon, starting with United on Boxing Day, and a 52.4 percent chance of descent.

Tests against Spurs, Forest, Newcastle and Chelsea then await, and the first few weeks of 2025 will certainly be challenging.

Leicester City – 17

Although Leicester are currently outside the bottom three, Opta predicts they will face the drop this season.

The Foxes have been given a 62 percent chance of relegation, which is almost ten percent less than the Wolves, who are below them.

Former Forest rival Steve Cooper took charge at the start of the season but was sacked after just five months in charge.

United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy has since been named his replacement, but he has only won one of his first four games.

Leicester's 37 goals conceded are the second-highest in the Premier League and their -16 goal difference is the second-worst behind Ipswich.

Victory has come just once in their last nine games and it won't get any easier from now on.

6

6

Liverpool and City are their next two league rivals, the first at home and the second away.

Villa, Palace and Fulham will follow in the new year, and the relegation battle is not out of the question.

Everton and Crystal Palace also at risk?

0-0 draw at home against Chelsea extends Everton unbeaten streak to three in the league and has them four points above relegation.

The Toffees also have a game in hand after their home Merseyside derby against Liverpool was postponed.

Sean Dyche's team only has one 7.8 percent chance According to Opta, they run the risk of relegation, although they will have to make sure not to become complacent.

Below them in 16th place are Palacewho are only -1 behind them on goal difference.

They were beaten 5-1 at home by Arsenal at the weekend and have just three wins in 17 games.

However, Opta predicts that there is only one 1.6 percent chance of the south London team's relegation this season.