The 2020-21 Premier League season starts September 12th. High Press Soccer will again be previewing all of the teams entering the campaign.
This year, we’ll group the teams into the following categories:
- Relegation candidates
- Mid-table fodder
- Top-half potential
- Hello, Europa League
- The contenders
Up next are the mid-table(ish) fodder teams. They may briefly drift around the relegation zone. However (barring injuries), they’ll all stay safely in England’s top division again. Here are the mid-table fodder teams: Newcastle, Burnley, Southampton, Brighton, and West Ham.
If you haven’t already, review 2020-21 Premier League schedule and 2020-21 Premier League title odds.
Newcastle United 2020-21 Premier League Preview
Last Season: 13th in Premier League
Last relegated season: 2016-17
Stadium: St. James’ Park
Nickname: The Magpies
Manager: Steve Bruce
Key Additions: Jeff Hendrick, Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser
Best Player: NOT Joelinton – maybe Allan Saint-Maximin
(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
They had the proverbial disenfranchised supporter base due to incompetent ownership. They had what many viewed as an incompetent coach. Their big off-season signing was Joelinton (he scored 2 goals all season).
And yet…
The Magpies finished 13th for the second straight season.
However!
Don’t be fooled. Their xPTs had them dead last in the table (yes, below Norwich). There could be significant regression to the man here.
And yet!
They have bolstered their squad with quality-ish signings.
So!
🤷♂️
A bit of Newcastle history:
- The club was founded in December 1892.
- On 10 different occasions they’ve been England’s most supported club per attendance.
- In fact, they were the first ever English club to attract 1,000,000 fans in a season (1946-47).
- They’ve won England’s top division 4 times, with the last being in 1926-27.
- They’ve also won the second division 4 times, with the last being 2016-17.
- Newcastle has won the FA Cup 5 times, with the last being in 1955.
- For fans of Sunderland ‘Til I Die, their natural derby rival is Sunderland.
Why you should like Newcastle:
- It’s a proud club with a lot of local support. Newcastle is passionate about their club.
- They may get bought essentially by Saudi Arabia. But unlike Manchester City, they won’t be a fake club. Again, they have history.
- Their entrance song, “Local Hero,” was written by Newcastle native and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mark Knopfler.
- Miguel Almiron and USMNT defender DeAndre Yedlin player there.
Newcastle Daily Fantasy star:
- Allan Saint-Maximin was a solid value many weeks last season.
- Callum Wilson could be a fill-in as well.
Newcastle betting odds: (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook NJ)
- To win Premier League: +50000
- To finish top 4: +5000
- To finish top 6: +2800
- Relegation: +225
Newcastle Outlook:
This is one of the toughest teams to peg.
They should regress this year. Their manager is still over-matched.
Yet they’ve invested relatively well to improve their depth. And the possibility of new ownership and cash infusion hangs over them. Expect a 15-17th place finish with better things to come next season.
Southampton 2020-21 Premier League Preview
Last Season: 11th in Premier League
Last relegated season: 2011-12
Stadium: St. Mary’s Stadium
Nickname: The Saints
Manager: Ralph Hasenhüttl
Key Additions: Mohammed Salisu, Kyle Walker-Peters
Best Player: Danny Ings
Southampton, Liverpool’s AAA affiliate, had an interesting season.
After getting pounded 9-0, at home, by Leicester, it looked like the Saints were going to march their manager Ralph Hasenhüttl right out of St. Mary’s.
Then they completely turned their season around.
Southampton finished 11th in the table, but with a xPTs of a 7th place side.
Finally injury free, Danny Ings fulfilled his Liverpool potential. He remains. They’ve added two solid players in Mohammed Salisu and Kyle Walker-Peters while only losing ineffective Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg.
A bit of Southampton history:
- Founded in November of 1885 (for perspective, Grover Cleveland was President then).
- They have no first division titles. However, they have one runner-up finish in 1983-84.
- They’re 3x second division champs, most recently in 2011-12.
- In 1975-76, they won the FA Cup. It’s their only major trophy.
Why you should like Southampton:
- If you’re a Liverpool fan, you should always be cheering for / following them as their talent pool is practically a direct pipeline to Anfield. Seriously though, they are great at identifying and developing talent. Expect Mohammed Salisu to be a total badass sold off for tens of millions in a few years.
- Their chant, When the Saints Go Marching In, you already know and is easy to get behind.
- All three of their kits this year are sharp.
Southampton Daily Fantasy star:
- Last season, you get get Ingsy on the cheap until the second half of the season. He’s clearly a star, but he’s always going to be $9,000+.
- So James Ward-Prowse fills the stat line up and won’t cost you a ton.
Southampton betting odds: (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook NJ)
- To win Premier League: +50000
- To finish top 4: +3300
- To finish top 6: +1400
- Relegation: +700
Southampton Outlook:
Honestly, Southampton have the biggest range of any team we’re previewing. They could finish 8th and it wouldn’t be a surprise. They could finish 17th and it wouldn’t raise an eyebrow.
Depth is going to be an issue. A Danny Ings injury would really sting (obv). After Ings, no other player had more than 5 goals.
They should regress upwards in terms of xG and xGA, but maybe downwards as far as injuries. Splitting the difference, expect the Saints to slot in around the 12-16 spots in the table.
Brighton & Hove Albion 2020-21 Premier League Preview
Last Season: 15th
Last time relegated: 2015-16
Stadium: Falmer Stadium
Nickname: The Seagulls
Manager: Graham Potter
Key Additions: Adam Lallana, Joël Veltman
Best Player: Lewis Dunk (?)
Brighton are the epitome of mid-table fodder. They’re never challenging for the top half. They have just enough managerial guile and talent to stay afloat.
This year should be no different.
A bit of Brighton history:
- The club was founded in June 1901.
- They have a FA Cup final appearance in 1983🤷♂️
Why you should like Brighton:
- Their home kit is NOICE.
- They now have Adam Lallana.
Brighton Daily Fantasy star:
- Good luck here. Dan Burn can be a super-cheap defensive fill-in if you’ve maxed your roster out.
- Potentially Neal Maupay can get you an odd goal.
Brighton betting odds: (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook NJ)
- To win Premier League: +75000
- To finish top 4: +5000
- To finish top 6: +2500
- Relegation: +350
Brighton Outlook:
This almost entirely comes down to the following: Brighton should be better than Fulham, West Brom, Palace, and Villa. They don’t have the range of results that Southampton have. However, they’re solidly 15-16th in the table again.
Burnley 2020-21 Premier League Preview
Last Season: 10th
Last time relegated: 2015-16
Stadium: Turf Moor
Nickname: The Clarets
Manager: Sam Dyche
Key Additions: None
Best Player: James Tarkowski
So why aren’t they considered likely to repeat?
Simple: they bought no one and lost a few players. That lack of squad depth is leaving too much to chance in a truncated season like this one.
A bit of Burnley history:
- They were founded in 1882.
- Despite their longevity, they’ve only won England’s top division twice (last time being 1959-60).
- They’ve won the Championship division 3 times.
- They have 1 FA Cup win, albeit back in 1913-14.
Why you should like Burnley:
- There’s a lot of reasons, starting with their support. In a town of 73,000 people, they regularly draw 20,000+ to games.
- Their fans include Prince Charles AND Chumbawamba. Very fitting, as Burnley will get knocked down, but they’ll get up again.
- They’re a well-coached and organized side.
Burnley Daily Fantasy star:
- We see you, James Tarkowski.
- Also keep an eye out on Dwight McNeil. He may emerge.
- And while you’re at it, Nick Pope was a beast last season.
Burnley betting odds: (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook NJ)
- To win Premier League: +100000
- To finish top 4: +10000
- To finish top 6: +3300
- Relegation: +250
Burnley Outlook:
Just like last season, oddsmakers don’t like Burnley.
They were +180 to drop in 2019-20, and +250 this year.
Part of that is based on squad value. Only West Brom and Fulham have a squad whose total value is less than Burnley.
However, they have just enough top quality talent that they should remain safely afloat. They’ll step back this season, but never really be in danger of a drop. Expect Burnley in the 13-16 range.
West Ham 2020-21 Premier League Preview
Last Season: 16th in Premier League
Last relegated season: 2011-12
Stadium: London Stadium
Nickname: The Hammers, The Irons
Manager: David Moyes
Key Additions: Tomas Soucek
Best Player: Possibly Tomas Soucek
After trying to get the season voided like cowards, karma should rear its ugly head on them again this year.
West Ham have enough talent on the field to avoid relegation. David Moyes is just competent enough to keep them afloat, but uninspiring enough to do much with the talent.
A bit of West Ham history:
- The club was founded in 1895.
- Their “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” is a top 3 English football song.
- The highest they’ve ever placed in the top English division is third place (1985-86).
- They’ve won the second division twice.
- West Ham does have 3 FA Cups, the last being 1980.
Why you should like West Ham:
- You shouldn’t.
- However, their supporters are among the best at adapting songs to players, with “Achy Breaky Heart” to Dimitri Payet being of recent note.
West Ham Daily Fantasy star:
- Robert Snodgrass often gave good value last season.
- And just a hunch that Sebestian Haller has a season this go around more in line with what we expected last campaign.
West Ham betting odds: (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook NJ)
- To win Premier League: +50000
- To finish top 4: +4000
- To finish top 6: +1600
- Relegation: +400
West Ham Outlook:
David Moyes has some pieces. Pairing Declan Rice with Soucek could provide some defensive presence up the middle. As noted, Haller could be primed for a breakout season.
It’s hard to get the stink from last season off them though. They were bad. That kind of bad doesn’t make profound leaps.
West Ham are positioned for yet another 14-16th place season.
WHERE TO BET THE 2020-21 PREMIER LEAGUE IN THE US
In the US, you can legally bet on soccer in New Jersey, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
For New Jersey, we recommend DraftKings Sportsbook NJ or FanDuel Sportsbook.
