One of the most interesting things about a new Premier League season is always the newly promoted teams. Each year, three teams come up from the Championship to test themselves against the elite. Will they prove that they can play with the big boys or will they fail to raise their level?
This year, we have three fantastic new teams in the form of Cardiff, Fulham and Wolves. Below we take a look at the three promoted teams and what the oddsmakers think of them.
Cardiff City
This year will be Cardiff’s second ever season in the top flight. They won promotion in 2013 – 2014, but were relegated in their first Premier League season. They have signed four players ahead of the new season. Greg Cunningham, who can play at left back and center back joined from Preston North End for £4 million. They splashed out £11 million on Josh Murphy, an exciting winger from Norwich. As well as that, they signed Bobby Reid for £10 million and Alex Smithies for £3 million.
More importantly, they haven’t lost any of their key players in the offseason. Despite all that, Cardiff are definitely one of the weakest teams in the Premier League. They are definitely the weakest of the newly promoted teams. Paddy Power has them at 11/10 to pull off a miracle and avoid relegation.
Fulham FC
Once part of the Premier League furniture, Fulham have not played in the top flight since 2014. The cottagers needed the playoffs to win promotion, but this does not mean they will be fodder this season.
Fulham won plaudits last year for their entertaining style of football. Ryan Sessegnon, Aboubakar Kamara and skipper Tom Cairney formed the core of their young, attacking team. This summer, they’ve added to that in a big way. They signed Jean Michel-Seri, a player who could play for a top 6 club, from Nice. In addition, they signed highly rated Swansea defender Alfie Mawson and secured the permanent services of Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. On loan, they have acquired German World Cup winner Andre Schurrle and Arsenal defender Callum Chambers.
Fulham will be a neutral’s favourite this year and they will certainly worry opposition defences. They are 4/1 with Paddy Power to finish in the top half of the table.
Related: The 5 Best Premier League Specials Ahead of the New Season
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves are the most highly rated of the newly promoted teams. They won promotion by winning the Championship by 9 points and return to the Premier League after 6 years. Previously, Wolves were perennial relegation battlers, but on paper it will be different this time around.
They have retained the core of their team over the summer. Ivan Cavaleiro, Ruben Neves, Barry Douglas, Roman Saiss, John Ruddy, Conor and Matt Doherty can win games on their day. They have signed Willy Boly, Diogo Jota, Leo Bonatini, Adama Traore. As well as that, they have added some star quality in 2016 UEFA Euro winners with Portugal Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho.
Big things are expected of Wolves this season. In fact, bookies rate their chances more than the likes of West Ham, Everton, Burnley, Watford and Leicester. So highly rated they are that Paddy Power has them at EVENS to finish in the top half of the table.
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