Premier League: Relegation betting odds - Wigan favourites for drop

Wigan look leading candidates for relegation every season, it seems, and bookmakers believe their time has finally come, making them favourites for the drop, at best odds of just 4/7 with Ladbrokes. Roberto Martinez's side are on an eight game losing streak and currently prop up the table, with just five points from their ten games this season, losing 2-0 at home to Fulham last time out.

Blackburn, however, are in little better shape, and are no longer than the 11/10 with Ladbrokes to go down for the first time since 1999. Manager Steve Kean has come under intense pressure already, with his club boasting one win this term, and this was not helped by the late equaliser Rovers conceded against newly-promoted Norwich at the weekend. 

Next in the betting are Swansea City, at 13/8 with Bet 365. The Swans have made a flying start to their first Premier League campaign, currently sitting in the top half of the table after beating Bolton on Saturday. There can be no doubt, however, that the Welsh side's cheaply-assembled squad is punching above its weight, and they will certainly struggle at some point in the season.

While Swansea are over-achieving, the same cannot be said of Mick McCarthy's Wolves, who are without a league win since August and are one place above the drop zone. The manager has come under serious pressure from disgruntled fans and it is easy to see why: their team is just 2/1 with Victor Chandler to start next season in the Championship. 

Another side that has made an unexpectedly bright start after coming up is Norwich, who are 11/5 with Coral and Bet 365 for relegation. The Canaries are as high as eighth in the table following a good run of form and they showed good spirit as they came back late on against both Liverpool and Blackburn in recent weeks. Whether they can continue to perform at their current level remains to be seen, but supporters could not have asked for more so far.

QPR are the final newly-promoted team and Neill Warnock has put together a squad with some real quality. The likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joey Barton are experienced Premier League stars, both in contention for the England sqaud, and are responsible for their side's lofty current position of 12th in the table. Again, it is far from certain that they can keep playing as well as they have, but they are now as long as 3/1 with Paddy Power and Boylesports and look well-equipped to beat the drop. 

One interesting long-shot in the relegation betting is Fulham, who are as long as 16/1 with Stan James. Fulham look short of the quality they have had in recent years, but could be over-priced based on their consistent mid-table finishes under Roy Hodgson. With all of the promoted clubs flourishing so far, Fulham could be the established top-flight side to pay the price.

Premier League 2011/12 relegation betting odds

Premier League 2011/12 winner betting odds