Who will be involved in this seasons Premier League fight for survival?

Last seasons battle to stay in the Premier League was more absorbing than the battle at the top of the table.

The number of teams involved until late on in the season was quite astonishing.

This season I believe less teams will be involved in the fight for survival. He I profile the likely Premier League strugglers next season:

Wigan

The Latic’s had a close brush with relegation in the last campaign and its really difficult to see them enjoying any better luck in the new campaign. Instead of strengthening their squad this summer they have lost star player Charles N’Zogbia.

The side from Lancashire have at times produced some very impressive results in the last few seasons and boss Roberto Martinez is a highly-rated young boss. Wigan have also secured the services of keeper Ali Al-Habsi, who was outstanding on-loan from Bolton last season. All-in-all though the picture is not too bright at Wigan and a season of struggle lies ahead for Martinez’s men.

Blackburn

Blackburn have became a Premier League joke under new owners Venkys. The Indian chicken magnets had promised to invest big in players but obviously don’t know their football. They thought minimal investment would bring them a winning team.

Rovers boss Steve Kean made his first significant signing of the summer this week as he brought in bright young Scottish striker David Goodwillie from Dundee United for £2million. However the squad needed major strengthening after a poor run of form nearly left them in the Championship last season.

They haven’t strengthened their squad and could lose star centre-back Christopher Samba if recent reports are to be believed. These are worrying times at Ewood Park.

QPR

QPR were head and shoulders above the rest in the Championship in the last campaign and won the league title at a canter. They were more functional than spectacular though. And what the Premier League is full of is functional teams.

The expected major investment by the Hoops megarich owners hasn’t happened and boss Neil Warnock has had to go shopping in the bargain basement to sign free agents Kieron Dyer and Jay Bothroyd. This isn’t ideal preparation for a return to the top flight.

One bright note was that they managed to keep mercurial star Adel Taarabt. It looked likely that the Moroccan would leave the club before the QPR board vetoed the move. Even with Taarabt though Rangers are likely to struggle in the new campaign.

Swansea

Last season the Welsh side were really impressive and probably played the best football in the Championship. Promotion through the play-offs were just rewards for a season of such good football. Now they are in the top flight though it will be much more difficult to play their passing game.

The Swans have strengthened their squad with the signings of Watford striker Danny Graham and Benfica keeper Jose Moreira. They have also signed winger Wayne Routledge from Newcastle. The Welsh side have however lost first choice keeper Dories De Vries to Wolves.

Its always difficult to predict how promoted sides will do in new leagues but the consensus is that the Swans like QPR are likely to struggle in the new campaign.

Norwich

The Canaries were the surprise package in the Championship last season. They caught everybody by surprise by winning their second consecutive promotion. And boss Paul Lambert is considered one of the best up and coming British managers.

The concern for Norwich is that the club haven’t strengthened their squad significantly. Their squad currently lack Premier League experience and the players that have arrived this summer have hardly any top flight experience.

Norwich are current favourites with the bookmakers to make an instant return to the second tier of English football. Norwich face a battle to retain their Premier League place status.

Exciting

Last season’s fight for survival was particularly exciting. The relegation battle could prove just as exciting in the new campaign, as teams battle to stay in the most lucrative league in the world.

Other teams are likely to be dragged into the mix just like last season but I can see the aforementioned five teams as the ones in the biggest trouble next season.

Who will get relegated from the Premier League next season?