2009 PREMIERSHIP RELEGATION BETTING TIPS

As it currently stands on Paddy Power, West Brom, Hull City are all odds-on to spend next year languishing in the Championship. While I'm not 100% sure that we'll see the likes of Stewart Downing, Jimmy Bullard and Geovanni toiling away at QPR and Reading next year, you have to wonder how this will shape the summer transfer markets. West Brom are a virtual certainty for the drop with a price at 1/33. Boro are also basically relegated at 1/20. Hull City are still in with a shout at 1/3 but they really have it all to do and must win all their remaining games and hope Newcastle lose all their remaining games to pull off a great escape. It's harsh on Hull who were looking so lofty earlier in the season, but once teams figured out how to play against them the goals seemed to dry up. Newcastle are 9/4 to go down, Sunderland are 5/1 and Portsmouth are a lock at 33/1.You can also back individual teams to avoid relegation, but unless you think Hull or Middlesbrough are about to pull off something incredible then you're not looking at making a hefty profit. Sunderland are 1/14 to avoid relegation, Newcastle are 2/7. Hull City pay out at 2/1, Middlesbrough pay 7/1 and West Brom pay 8/1. It's tough on the baggies, who pulled off one of the greatest escapes ever staying up on the final day a few years back thanks to Kieran Richardson's heroics (remember him?). It looks to me like Newcastle have done enough for one last chance in the Premier League. Alan Shearer's stock continues to rise and I expect him to be at the helm again next season.