It’s been a far-from-ideal start to the season for the Premier League’s newly promoted sides, and we’ve cut all three to be relegated from 12/1 to 5/1.

Luton were always most likely to be up against it and we’ve seen little to suggest there’s enough Premier League quality to keep them in the division.

It’s a given that they’ll need to make Kenilworth Road a fortress, and survival looks impossible if they can’t do what Nottingham Forest did last season. 

Forest took 30 points at the City Ground last term – five more than Chelsea mustered – and were supported by a raucous atmosphere for every home game.

There was a similarly fiery atmosphere at Kenilworth Road, but the Hatters will need to get some points on the board to keep the fans on side throughout the campaign.

bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “One point between them going into the first international break is hardly ideal, but it’s far from a certainty they become the second trio of promoted teams in Premier League history to make an instant return with Barnsley, Bolton and Crystal Palace holding that unwanted record since 1998.

“Burnley and Luton have only played three games with the Clarets’ revamped squad arguably needing time to gel while the Hatters’ preparation has been hindered with the well-publicised issues at Kenilworth Road.

“All three of Sheffield United’s defeats have been by the odd goal and they did manage to get a point on the board against Everton with new arrivals Gustavo Hamer and Cameron Archer also hitting the ground running.”

Number of promoted sides to be relegated odds:

Sheffield United also looked to be in trouble based on their transfer window if nothing else with Iliman Ndiaye, who made 25 goal contributions last season, being sold to Marseille.

Then there was Sander Berge, who's been a class act ever since arriving at Bramall Lane, joining fellow newboys Burnley, while neither Tommy Doyle nor James McAtee returned to South Yorkshire after excellent loan spells.

Paul Heckingbottom will be glad to have Oli McBurnie fit again, but the Scotland international sorely needs to improve on his seven goals from his previous 77 Premier League appearances. 

It puts a lot of pressure on the shoulders of 22-year-old Cameron Archer, who was excellent for Middlesbrough in the Championship last season, but the former Aston Villa man will need to make the big step up.

The most surprising start to the season however has been from Championship winners Burnley who are currently rock bottom.

With a high turnover of players, the Clarets were always likely to need a few weeks before hitting their stride; what’s perhaps been most surprising is how unwavering Vincent Kompany has been in sticking by his principles.

Kompany wanted his side to press high and dominate the ball in the Championship, and based on the efforts against Manchester City on the opening day, it looks like the Belgian will stick with it in the Premier League.

The issue is that Burnley could press high and dominate the ball against inferior sides last season. Not only are they doing it against vastly improved opposition, they’re trying it with a host of new players.

Dara O’Shea, James Trafford, Sander Berge, Luca Koleosho and Zeki Amdouni have started all three games this season and are all summer signings, while Ameen Al-Dakhil and Lyle Foster have been at the club less than a year.

It was interesting to see Burnley turn down the opportunity to rearrange their planned trip to Luton to play at Turf Moor instead, with Kompany presumably thinking it would be beneficial to get an extra week on the training ground with his players and take last season’s play-off winners on later down the line.

If looking for positives for Burnley it’s that they’ve played Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham in their opening three games, but there are further tough tests around the corner in Nottingham Forest (a), Manchester United (h) and Newcastle (a).

Kompany earned a fair crack at keeping Burnley in the top flight after last season’s efforts, but the Belgian needs points on the board sooner rather than later.

Liam Williams

• Burnley F.C.
• Luton Town F.C.
• Sheffield United F.C.
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