The 2023-24 Premier League season recently resumed following the third international break of the campaign, but the hiatus didn’t pass without controversy.
Shockwaves were sent across the English top flight, as Everton were hit with a severe 10-point deduction for breaches of the league’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
It’s the biggest points deduction penalty that the Premier League has ever given out, and the subsequent fallout could be substantial — and not just for Everton.
We’re not going to focus on the political side of the punishment, however. Instead, we’re going to take a look at what it means on the pitch in football terms.
The Toffees’ 10-point deduction has undone all their hard work in the five games before the international break, and they find themselves back in the bottom three.
That has resulted in a shift in the Premier League relegation betting, so let’s take a look at the current favorites to drop through the trap door to the Championship.
Sheffield United – 1/5
As far as the bookmakers are concerned, Sheffield United will be waving goodbye to their Premier League status at the end of the season.
The Blades returned to the top flight after finishing second in the Championship last season, and not much was expected of them this year.
However, they have been poorer than many would have imagined — with just one win at the time of writing. At least Paul Heckingbottom’s men aren’t bottom of the table (for now).
Luton Town – 2/9
Another side that the bookies are giving no chance of staying in the Premier League is Luton Town, with their 2/9 odds for the drop confirming the traders think they’re as good as relegated already.
The Hatters dramatically won the play-offs back in May, but they have rather harshly become the Premier League’s laughing stock — with their unique ground often the butt of jokes.
The Bedfordshire outfit is outperforming their fellow promoted sides and everyone’s expectations. However, staying up will be a difficult task.
Burnley – 8/13
Burnley’s start to the season has come as a shock to many, as the consensus amongst pundits and fans was that Vincent Kompany’s new-look side would comfortably avoid relegation.
They may have basked in Championship glory last year, but they are currently proving that the Premier League is an entirely different kettle of fish.
As it stands, the Clarets are the worst-performing side in the top flight. Burnley picked up just four points from 13 games at the time of writing and lost five on the trot.
Everton – 9/4
This is where Everton now come into the mix.
The Toffees were one of the in-form teams in the league before the international break, picking up 10 points from a possible 15 thanks to three wins, a draw and a defeat in their last five games.
However, those points have since been taken off their tally, and they routed to the bottom of the table alongside Burnley with just four points.
The good news is that Everton are just five points from safety, and if they can keep up their good form, then they could steer clear of the drop once again.
Bournemouth are next in line for the drop at around the same odds as Everton, while Fulham and Nottingham Forest are 7/1and 8/1, respectively.