The Trials and Triumphs of Newly Promoted Teams in the Premier League

/preview-of-premier-league-promoted/

The new Premier League season is set to kick off this weekend. Last season’s champions, Liverpool, are once again favourites for the title, with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea also expected to challenge. However, the picture at the bottom of the table is far less clear, with several clubs already bracing themselves for a relegation fight.

Teams like Wolves and Brentford have lost key players, and in Brentford’s case, they also face uncertainty under the inexperienced new manager, Keith Andrews. For the newly promoted clubs—Sunderland, Burnley, and Leeds United—the pressure will be immediate, as they enter the season among the favourites for relegation.

In recent years, promoted teams have consistently struggled to establish themselves in the top flight. Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United were all relegated in the 2023/24 season, while Ipswich Town, Southampton, and Leicester City met the same fate in their first year back.

Let’s take a closer look at the three newcomers this season and assess which one has the best chance of survival.

preview-of-premier-league-banner

Sunderland

Sunderland return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. Promoted via the play-offs, they begin this campaign under the guidance of Régis Le Bris, appointed in June 2024. The club undertook a bold £130 million summer rebuild, blending promising talents like Enzo Le Fée with experienced campaigners such as Granit Xhaka and Arthur Masuaku.

Creativity won’t be an issue, with youngsters like Le Fée, Marc Guiu, and Habib Diarra adding flair. However, their lack of Premier League experience may prove costly. While smart recruitment and tactical flexibility provide some hope, the inexperience of both the manager and the squad makes Sunderland the most likely of the promoted teams to go straight back down.

Sunderland’s return after eight years will excite their fans, but the step up in quality will be tough.

Burnley

Burnley return to the top flight under Scott Parker, after a record-breaking Championship season that saw them keep 30 clean sheets and concede only 16 goals. Parker’s pragmatic, defence-first approach is clear, but questions remain following the departures of goalkeeper James Trafford and defender CJ Egan-Riley.

The signing of veteran Kyle Walker brings invaluable leadership and a proven Premier League pedigree. However, Burnley were relegated in 2023/24 under Vincent Kompany, finishing 19th, and unless they can replicate their defensive solidity while improving their scoring record, they risk suffering the same fate again.

Leeds United

Leeds United, managed by Daniel Farke, are back in the Premier League and aiming to combine attractive football with survival. Farke’s possession-based 4-2-3-1 system, featuring aggressive full-back play, proved dominant in the Championship, as Leeds collected 100 points and a +65 goal difference.

Summer signings such as Jaka Bijol, Anton Stach, Lucas Perri, Sean Longstaff, and Gabriel Gudmundsson have added much-needed experience, physicality, and defensive strength. However, Leeds are still in search of a striker, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin heavily linked to a move to Elland Road.

Despite concerns about Farke’s ability to adapt in the top flight, he is already among the early favourites to be sacked if results go poorly, Leeds appear to be the strongest of the promoted trio. They remain relegation candidates, but are best placed to secure survival.

Conclusion

The 2025/26 Premier League season promises to be as unpredictable and exciting as ever, especially in the relegation battle. Promoted teams have consistently struggled in recent years, with the last six failing to survive their first season back.

Sunderland’s return after eight years will excite their fans, but the step up in quality will be tough. Burnley will rely heavily on defensive organisation if they are to stand a chance of staying up. Leeds, meanwhile, looks best positioned to survive thanks to a deeper, more balanced squad.

All three will face significant challenges, ensuring that the fight at the bottom of the table is every bit as compelling as the title race.

Check out more news and sports content from BetinIreland.

About us

Jack hails from County Offaly in Ireland and joins the team as a Content Writer and Performance Analyst. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and History from Maynooth University and a master’s degree in Sports Performance from the University of Limerick. Jack is a keen sports fan with a love for performance analysis and wishes to use this data-driven style that is seen in performance analysis in his writing to deliver informative predictions.

Find other news articles here: