Bournemouth Given -125 Odds for the Drop

AFC Bournemouth find themselves teetering on the brink of relegation from the Premier League, but should get a big lift from the return of midfielder David brooks from a serious ankle injury.
Photo by @BmthEchoSports (twitter).

• Bournemouth return to EPL action knotted with Watford, West Ham in fight to avoid relegation
• Cherries are among favorites in relegation odds but are expected to get a lift from their return to full health 
• Read on to find out which clubs offer the most betting value in the EPL relegation odds

Winless in four straight league matches before the Premier League halted play in March, AFC Bournemouth return to action this week pegged as a short -125 bet to face relegation at the close of the current campaign.

Premier League Relegation Odds

*Odds taken June 14, 2020

Daunting Schedule Awaits Cherries

Points have been scarce for Bournemouth since starting the season on a respectable 4-4-3 win-draw-loss run. The club has picked up just three wins in 18 matches since, and now find themselves poised for relegation despite being deadlocked on the EPL table with West Ham United and Watford FC at 27 points.

And things could quickly get worse for the Cherries, who are set to follow up next weekend’s home date with Crystal Palace with a daunting stretch run that features clashes with Wolverhampton, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, and Manchester City.

A reminder of the standings of the Premier League table ???? #LFC pic.twitter.com/Ur7OW086RO

— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) June 10, 2020

While the Cherries have seen their EPL relegation odds shorten dramatically since bottoming out at +950 back in November, there are reasons to remain optimistic about the club’s chances to return to the premier League for a fifth straight year. Stricken by injury before the season was paused in mid-March due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Cherries should be almost a full health when they hit the pitch at Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Brooks’ Return Boosts Bournemouth

The most notable returnee is David Brooks, who has yet to see action this season after twice undergoing surgery on his ankle. The 22-year-old playmaking midfielder emerged as a nominee for PFA Young Player of the Year award last season after potting seven goals in his first EPL campaign, and will be counted on to spark a Cherries offense that has scored more than a single goal in just three of their past 15 outings.

David Brooks’ #PL career in numbers;
Apps: 30
⚽️7
????️5
Big chances created: 9
Touches: 1,343
Through balls: 16

Certainly been a miss and will be welcome return to the Bournemouth squad ahead of the run in. #afcb ???? pic.twitter.com/ZQwWNq0fzw

— Footstatto (@footstattodaily) June 11, 2020

The Cherries are likely going to need a little help to gain an edge on both West Ham and Watford in the battle to climb out of the relegation zone, and pay off as a +100 bet to stay up in the Premier League. But while Bournemouth face a tough schedule, things aren’t looking much better for West Ham, who lag behind the Cherries as a +200 wager in the relegation odds.

West Ham, Watford Face Pivotal Matchup

Like Bournemouth, the Hammers enjoyed a strong start to the season, earning at least a point in six of their first seven matches, but have struggled to put points on the table since, with just four wins in their past 22 outings. And starting with Saturday’s home date with Wolves, West Ham must survive a three-match stretch that also includes dates with the Spurs and Chelsea before enjoying a much more favorable stretch run that includes meetings with relegation candidates Norwich City, Aston Villa, and Watford.

Watford Fixtures –

Leicester (H)
Burnley (A)
Southampton (H)
Chelsea (A)
Norwich (H)
Newcastle (H)

8/10 rating fixtures, 2 tough games, but considering price, there's definitely potential, especially with them scrapping at the foot of the table.

— FPLCon (@FPLCon) June 14, 2020

Norwich City is a deserving -275 favorite to finish bottom as they get set to return to action trailing Aston Villa by four points with an extra match already played. And the upcoming meetings with the two bottom-feeding clubs will provide the Hammers with a golden opportunity to move out of the relegation zone. However, it remains wise to circle the July 15 match between West Ham and Watford at London Stadium.

With arguably the easiest schedule of the three knotted club, Watford sports the strongest odds of staying up at -300. A fast start in their return to play will be key for Watford, whose stiffest competition in the six matches ahead of their meeting with the Irons will come next weekend against the Foxes, and in a July 4 road date with the Blues.

Brighton Poised to Lose Ground

While the current focus of relegation watches remains primarily on the three clubs knotted at 27 points, it would be unwise to overlook Brighton & Hove Albion, who sit just two points above the fray, and listed as an attractive +275 bet to be relegated. In addition to four of their next matches coming against clubs among the top five on the Premier League, the Seagulls resume their schedule next weekend against a surging Arsenal squad. Brighton is likely to lose ground in the relegation race during that stretch, adding importance to their final three contests against Southampton, Newcastle United and Burnley.

Imagine this is a completely new season about to begin. You'd be pretty confident that the 3.75 on Brighton relegation would shorten up after these opening six fixtures.

Now imagine these fixtures made up 66% of your season. #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/5QQ95t5eOp

— Cherry Analysts???? (@CherryAnalysts) June 14, 2020

Wins have been rare for Brighton, who have won just once in 14 league matches. However, the club has continued to pick up points, playing to draws on eight occasions during that stretch.

But with just two total wins in their past 15 combined league matches against Southampton, Newcastle United and Burnley, making up for lost ground during the final three weeks of the season is far from assured — making the Seagulls the best value bet to face relegation.

Picks: Brighton to be relegated +275; Bournemouth to stay up +100

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