The Debate: Which promoted team is best equipped to survive in the Premier League?

The 2024/25 Premier League season is just around the corner and excitement is building ahead of what's set to be another fascinating campaign.

Leicester City and Southampton secured immediate returns to the top flight, whilst Ipswich Town are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2002.

But which of the newly-promoted teams is best equipped to survive?

Members of the bet365 News team share their thoughts.

Southampton have a clear way of playing with a talented and hungry squad backed up by a charismatic, likeable manager.

James Wilson

Overcoming a formidable Leeds United side in the play-off final at Wembley in May to seal promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, Southampton are now charged with ensuring they are able to maintain their top flight status.

Tasked with guiding Southampton back to the Premier League upon his appointment as manager last summer, ex-Scotland international defender Russell Martin was able to achieve this goal whist implementing a progressive style of play at St Mary’s.

No Championship team averaged more possession across last season than Southampton (65.5%), with the Saints’ goals tally of 85 bettered only by top two Leicester and Ipswich with 88 each.

At their best, Southampton were a joy to watch in the second tier, setting a new club record 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions between September 2023 and February 2024.

Detractors will quickly point towards Southampton’s poor defensive record, with the Saints conceding 63 goals in 56 Championship matches – only two fewer than relegated Birmingham City.

Indeed, Southampton’s possession-oriented way of playing is comparable to that of Vincent Kompany’s Burnley side who were relegated from the top flight last season, with Saints boss Martin on record as being an admirer of Pep Guardiola’s tactical philosophy.

However, the Scotsman did demonstrate a willingness to adapt his tactics when needs must, something Belgian Kompany was accused of not doing enough with the Clarets in the Premier League.

Lining up in a 4-3-3 formation for the majority of the campaign, a run of three consecutive defeats in the lead-up to the play-offs prompted Martin to tweak his team’s shape to a 3-5-2, with the Saints duly overcoming West Brom and Leeds to achieve promotion whilst conceding just one goal.

Southampton’s summer transfer activity suggests they may persevere with this shape utilising a back three and wing-backs in the Premier League, with five new defenders acquired – Taylor Harwood-Bellis on a permanent deal, Yukinari Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar, Nathan Wood from Swansea, Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough and Charlie Taylor from Burnley.

This is not the only transfer business the Saints have done, with the signings of Flynn Downes permanently from West Ham, Ben Brereton Diaz from Villarreal and Adam Lallana as a free agent appearing shrewd additions.

In Brereton Diaz, Southampton have acquired a player who demonstrated his ability to score goals at Premier League level for a poor Sheffield United side last term, notching six in 14 appearances for the Blades following a loan move from Villarreal in January.

When you add these new recruits alongside a very capable group of players including Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek and Adam Armstrong, Saints have a talented, dynamic squad who could prove a lot of people wrong this year.

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Ipswich have Kieran McKenna... Case closed.

Jaquob Crooke

Not even the most delusional Ipswich Town fan could have foreseen the work Kieran McKenna has undertaken in such a short space of time at Portman Road.

Not only has the former Manchester United coach steered the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League in the space of two-and-a-half years, but he’s transformed the club’s culture in doing so.

And whatever happens between now and the end of the transfer window, Ipswich have conducted the best piece of business in the division by retaining McKenna’s services.

The Premier League is set to be a true test of the Northern Irishman’s tactical credentials, but on the evidence of what we witnessed in the Championship last season, it’s hard not to get excited.

McKenna has moulded a squad that work incredibly hard, operate cohesively and more importantly, have a clear understanding of each of their respective roles in the team.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a regular starter or an impact substitute, McKenna’s man-management saw him extract the most from all of his players. His in-game management is another reason why he’s rated so highly, with the 38-year-old frequently making second half changes that sharpened his team and yielded results.

When every point is so precious in the Premier League, McKenna’s proactivity could be the difference between survival and relegation.

But we’re not just here to wax lyrical about McKenna’s coaching potential.

Ipswich have needed to shore up a defensive line that conceded 57 goals last term and Jacob Greaves represents an astute piece of business. The jury is still out on goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, but the former Burnley shot-stopper did finish the previous campaign by boasting the third-best xGoT (expected goals on target) behind only Emiliano Martinez and Jose Sa.

Leif Davis was a standout performer in the promotion-winning campaign and the left-back offers Ipswich with a dangerous threat from set-pieces. The Tractor Boys chalked up 19 goals from dead-ball situations last season and their ability to convert set-piece opportunities will be a vital asset over the course of the campaign.

There’s not an over-reliance on one man to provide a source of goals as they demonstrated last season that they possess multiple individuals that can share the burden, with Nathan Broadhead, Conor Chaplin and Omari Hutchinson all reaching double figures.

Then there is the Portman Road factor.

It's been transformed into a fortress under McKenna's supervision, with Ipswich losing just two league games at home in the previous two seasons. It's a phenomenal record and the Tractor Boys can draw upon their home support, who will no doubt make it intimidating for every visitor.

Ipswich enter the upcoming campaign with no fear, revelling in their underdog status and of the three promoted teams, they have the most settled side and most talented manager.

While Leicester, without Enzo Maresca and a replacement for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, appear a far weaker proposition and Russell Martin's Southampton can sometimes flatter to deceive, the Tractor Boys possess enough style and substance to stave off relegation.

Leicester have the most experienced squad and manager of the promoted sides, they're prepared for Premier League life.

Darren Durber

Leicester City won the Championship with 96 points last season, one point ahead of Ipswich Town and 10 clear of Southampton.

The Foxes also finished the season with the best goal difference in the Championship; they conceded just 41 times in 46 matches, 16 less than Ipswich and 22 times less than Southampton.

Of the three promoted sides, only Leicester have a manager with any Premier League experience. Steve Cooper has managed 55 games in the top flight compared to a combined 0 between Kieran McKenna and Russell Martin.

Much has been made of Ipswich Town’s record at Portman Road and it is undoubtedly impressive to lose just one home match in a season. However, the Tractor Boys conceded 32 times in 23 home matches, often relying on dramatic late goals to secure the points, something that will be far harder to achieve against superior Premier League opposition. Leaky defences are punished harshly in the top flight.

Leicester may have tasted defeat more often at the King Power, but they won more games at home than both Ipswich or Southampton, conceded far fewer goals and boasted the best goal difference of the three.

The Foxes also had the best away record in the Championship last season. They won the most matches, scored the most goals and conceded the fewest goals.

Cooper has a wealth of Premier League experience in his squad, something that seems sorely lacking in the other promoted sides.

Jamie Vardy is the obvious standout; the veteran forward is an experienced England international and has scored 136 Premier League goals and made over 300 top flight appearances in his illustrious career.

Even at 37, Vardy is a dangerous striker. He scored 20 goals in all competitions last season and still maintains the pace to worry Premier League defences.

Wilfred Ndidi is another experienced Premier League operator, with the Nigerian midfielder making 192 appearances at the highest level and is at the peak of his powers at 27 years of age.

Jannik Vestergaard represented Denmark at Euro 2024 and is an experienced Premier League defender, Harry Winks has made well over 100 top flight appearances, Patson Daka has scored goals in the Premier League and tricky winger Stephy Mavididi was one of the standout players in the Championship last season.

When you look at the statistics, it’s difficult to argue against the fact that Leicester City are the team best prepared for Premier League life. Doesn’t the fact they were the best team in the Championship last season, they're led by most experienced manager and possess the most experienced squad confirm that?

It was only eight years ago that Leicester City pulled off the greatest upset in English football history by winning the Premier League under Claudio Ranieri. While they certainly won’t be securing another Premier League title this campaign, the Foxes are more than capable of surviving in the top flight this season.