It’s only July, although the bookmakers have already started pencilling the names of Hull City and Stoke City into the bottom three places of the Premier League. The Tigers are no bigger than 1/3 (Boylesports) to be relegated, despite signing the likes of George Boateng, Geovanni and Bernard Mendy so far this summer. Traditionally, the team promoted though the play-offs fares badly in the top flight, although they’re a 5/2 chance (Sky Bet) if you think they will survive.

Stoke have been quiet on the transfer front to date and many punters might wonder whether they’re struggling to attract the right sort of players to the Britannia Stadium. Paddy Power go 4/9 that they finish eighteenth or worse and make an immediate return to the Championship, although they are sure to make themselves difficult to beat at home, and could instead be worth a shout to stay up at 15/8 (Sky Bet).

It’s strange that the Potters are so much shorter than West Brom (5/4 Sporting Bet) to suffer relegation, considering there was nothing between the teams last season. The Baggies have also lost Kevin Phillips and Zoltan Gera since the season finished, two players who were vital in helping them get promoted last term. This could be where the smart money is punted on relegation.

The teams that the promoted trio are battling against are likely to include Fulham (11/4 Sporting Bet), Bolton (7/2 Sky Bet) and Wigan (7/2 bet365), with the former only just surviving the drop last season. Reports that the Cottagers are chasing Bobby Zamora won’t fill many with confidence, although the other two teams have reasons to believe they will fare better next season, especially the Latics who were progressive under Steve Bruce.

Personally, I find it impossible to escape the 14/1 (Ladbrokes) about Blackburn going down this season, especially if Paul Ince gets off to a rocky start at Ewood Park. He’s currently trying to keep hold of David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz and might find this Premier League assignment too hot to handle. West Ham (9/1 Paddy Power) could be the other unlikely team with a struggle on their hands next season, especially with so much money spend on such little quality in the past two seasons.