Top five worst relegated trios from the Premier League

As of late, there has been a lot of debate about the widening gap between the quality at the bottom of the Premier League compared to the top.

Furthermore, the inevitability of the dreaded drop for the bottom three teams in the 2024/25 season became apparent rather early in the year.

It was somewhat of a foregone conclusion that for a second season in a row, the three newly promoted sides would return to the division below.

But how do Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town compare to that of years gone by?

Our list transcribes the five worst relegated trios in Premier League history, but it is worth noting that this is since the 1995/96 season, when the inaugural 20-team and three relegation places were implemented.

Top five worst relegated trios from the Premier League

5) 2005/06 season – 79 points

Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland

Tied with the 2009/10 season for points, the 2005/06 season have ironically taken fifth due to their lack of victories.

Only 18 wins all season between the three sides compared to 21 in 2009/10 means that they qualify for this dishonourable list.

Sunderland was by far the worst of the trio, only culminating 15 points all season, with a pitiful three wins to their name. In fact, they are statistically the second worst side in Premier League history, only managing 26 goals to add insult to injury.

West Brom and Birmingham completed the triplet, with 30 and 34 points respectively.

4) 2020/21 – 77 points

Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United

A weak performance from both Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United, with the Baggies unfortunately making it on this list for the second time already.

Fulham topped the pack with 28 points but were only just ahead of West Brom and Sheffield United on 26 and 23.

Bottom of the bunch, the Blades had the most wins out of the three with seven, but lost a staggering 29 games which sealed their fate.

The Baggies had the worst defence of the 20 teams, conceding a whopping 76 goals, 23 more than Fulham one place above them.

3) 2018/19 – 76 points

Cardiff City, Fulham and Huddersfield Town

Tied for the joint-third worst points total in Premier League history are Huddersfield who were, unaspiringly, at the foot of the table after collecting three wins all season.

Bagging 22 goals all year, the fourth lowest in Premier League history, helped condemn them to the Championship.

Fulham once again helped make up the threefold on 26 points, with Cardiff slipping into the mix on a more respectable 34 points.

Despite assembling 20 wins between them, the highest of all trios in this list, the sheer number of losses results in them filling the bronze medal position.

2) 2024/25 - 44* points (Maximum 70)

Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton

With the Premier League season still set to be concluded, this spot will be temporarily filled by the 2024/25 season as they are guaranteed to be in the top two worst seasons.

The previous two years have been far from a glowing endowment of newly promoted Championship teams, with the last six all relegated upon their arrival to the Premier League.

This will likely end up as the worst season as the maximum number of points the trio can accumulate is 70, providing they win all of their remaining four games (Leicester play both Southampton and Ipswich before the season concludes).

For now we'll give them the benefit of the doubt, despite all three being relegated with four games to spare.

1) 2023/24 – 66 points

Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United

Recency rears its ugly head once again, with the 2023/24 season being a significant let down for the newly promoted sides, who all returned to the Championship.

Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United succumbed to the might of existing Premier League opposition, fervently against the threat of the division below.

Sheffield United broke an unwanted record, conceding 104 goals, which is the most any side has forfeited in Premier League history.

To make matters worse, they only scored 20 goals all season, the joint-lowest of all-time along with the infamous Derby County team of 2007/08. Not a glowing character reference for the Blades, who will be hoping a similar season isn’t on future horizons.

2025/26 Premier League Promoted Trio Odds

Leeds United and Burnley will both compete in the Premier League in the 2025/26 season after achieving automatic promotion from the Championship.

The third promoted team will be one of Sheffield United, Sunderland, Coventry City and Bristol City, who will take part in the play-offs.

(*Odds will display when market is available).