England Premier League 2012-13 Preview (Part II)

After previewing the top half of the table yesterday we now look at the lower reaches of the English Premier League. Competition will be fierce to avoid relegation, many of the teams are at the same level and there seems to be few poor sides. 

Betting tips will run through each team and highlight some betting opportunities. Teams are ranked in predicted finishing position. (Teams 11-20)

England Premier League 2012-13 Preview Part 2

11: QPR - Last season 17th. To Place in Top 10 4.50

 QPR have made some major squad changes already and have ushered 10 fringe players out the door, no major players have left. In comes a host of international players, Fabio, Rob Green, Andy Johnson, Ryan Nelson and Ji Sung Park. Real quality amongst them. Samda Diakite loan deal was made permanent after an impressive 2012. These players will greatly improve a squad which already has a few good players. Once QPR gel they will have a real chance at breaking the top 10. Joey Barton will miss the 1st 12 matches of the season for his antics against Man City at the end of the season. 

Manager: Mark Hughes has good experience in the Premier League and has improved all of his teams, has already stamped his mark on the side with 15 players in and out the squad. Next Manager To Leave:17.0

Star Striker: Djbril Cisse showed the two sides to his game with an interesting end to the season. Scoring 6 goals in 8 games but getting sent off twice. Will hopefully spend more time on the pitch this year and help QPR in their push to the top. Top Scorer Price 101.0

12:Stoke - Last season 14th. To Place in Top 10 3.25

Stoke's football is no longer a surprise but teams still find it tough to deal with, long ball football based around large, strong mobile players. Which is surprising why they are chasing Michael Owen.Maybe to play off Peter Crouch and to finish the knock downs. Only Jamie Ness from Rangers (Subject to player release from Rangers Newco) has signed as yet for Stoke, with the only release being Woodgate. So we know Stoke will carry on as they left off bullying teams and hoping to stay up.

Manager: Tony Pulis style is not to many tastes and any team whose major weapon is a 50 yard ball that is thrown into the box may not be everyones idea of football but he has had results. Will be hoping Owen signs too add a little variance to the long ball game. Next Manager To Leave:34.0

Star Striker: Peter Crouch is more than just his height, has a great touch and a little skill to. Is a good finisher too and has scored many goals for England. Scored 10 goals in 32 games last year. Top Scorer Price 101.0

13:Aston Villa - Last season 16th. To Be Relegated:9.00 Not To Be Relegated:1.10

Aston Villa's distastrous season last year can mostly be blamed on the appointment of Alex McLeish. A very poor defensive manager who hinders his teams. Karim El Ahmedi and Brett Holman are the only incoming players so far with Cueller and Heskey released. Paul Lambert takes over the reigns and will looking to turn Villa's fortunes around. Will hope the clubs injury list clears as that didnt help McLeish much. Darren Bent is vital to Villa and should be fit for the start of the season, sadly Stylian Petrov won't be after contracting leukemia. Something we all hope he recovers from.

Manager - Paul Lambert is amongst the new wave of managers accruing success in the English game. Plays a fast-breaking counter attacking style. Teams are well organised and is tactically sound. Next Manager To Leave 26.0

Star Striker - Darren Bent is one of England's best strikers. Excellent strike rate, composed finisher and good alround game.Scored 9 in 22 games last year with little assistance. Spent the latter parts of the season injured. Top Scorer Price 29.0

14:West Ham - Last Season Promoted. To Be Relegated:3.25 Not To Be Relegated: 1.36

West Ham return to the Premier League after just one year out. Many fans did not welcome the appointment of Sam Allardyce but you cannot argue with his results.Their squad is packed with Premiership quality players and they have already made a few decent signings in Diame and Jaaskelainen. A few players have left including Rob Green but his replacement is a superior player.

Manager - Sam Allerdyce has his detractors but his results speak for themselves. An advocate of prozone and stats based analysis were groundbreaking. Is a great motivator and tactician, however due to the uncertainty at West Ham he is one of the favourites to lose his job 1st. Next Manager To Leave:9.00

Star Striker: Ricardo Vaz Te had a mediocre career until last season, scoring only 5 goals in 8 years. All of a sudden it seemed to click at Barnsley and he eventually earned a move to West Ham and mentor Allardyce. In total he scored 20 goals in 37 games, can he step up to the Premiership? Top Scorer Price 101.0

15:West Brom - Last season 10th. To Be Relegated:5.50 Not To Be Relegated:1.19

West Brom are in a bit of club crisis after news of a massive bust up between star man Peter Odemwingie and new manager Steve Clarke. Ben Foster has made his loan move permanent, outgoing players include Andrews, Shorey and most importantly Tchoyi. West Brom will struggle to match the high finish of 10th and may struggle to adapt to 1st time manager Clarke, especially if Odemwingie leaves.

Manager - Steve Clarke is a talented coach but is untried at any level as a manager. Whether he manages the step up is another question and judging on initial reports of player bustups it looks like he's started on the wrong foot. Next Manager To Leave 10.0

Star Striker: Peter Odemwingie is arguably playing in a team well below his stature. As stated he has had a huge bust up with new coach Clarke and is reported to want to leave. Scored 10 in 28 games last year, he is WBA most important player and a lot hinges on him staying.Top Scorer Price 101.0

16: Swansea - Last season 11th. To Be Relegated:3.25 Not To Be Relegated:1.36

Swansea had a fantastic first season in the Premier League, but how much of that was down to departed coach Rogers? His team dominated most of their matches posession wise especially at home. Recording some great victories against established sides. The team is full of upcoming players and has no standout individuals, new manager Laudrup has already been active in the transfer market. Bringing in three players, 2 he has already worked with Chico and De Guzmen. Michu was an absolute steal at £1M, A player who scored 15 goals in La Liga for a lesser side. Key man last year Sigurdsson has gone to Spurs, and Liverpool are looking at Joe Allan.No one else has left yet.

Manager - Micheal Laudrup follows Brendan Rogers and has a difficult task to beat the 11th place. There is no doubting his managerial credentials as he has managed some big sides in Europe.He will play in the same fashion as Rogers and this can only be a good thing for the Swans. Next Manager To Leave 17.0

Star Striker: Danny Graham is another player who developed late in his career. Not really making an impact in the 1st four years of being a professional and then a move to Carlisle changed everything. Followed Rogers from Watford to Swansea and has had a really good few seasons.Scored 12 goals in 36 games in his debut Premier League season. Top Scorer Price 101.0

17:Reading - Last season promoted. To Be Relegated 2.25; Not To Be Relegated:1.67

Reading have been out of the top flight since 2008 but won the Championship last year to make their return. They have signed a host of new players including Gunter, Guthrie and Pogrebnyak. The Russian is an impressive signing, moreso he showed he can fit in the Premiership with a cameo at Fulham towards the end of last season. Reading have a lot of exciting youngsters but not many players with top level experience.

Manager - Brian McDermott is not a name many will recognise, having only been around for a few years. Worked his way through the ranks at Reading. Has followed on with Rogers style of play. May be a contender for early sacking if results start badly. Next Manager To Leave 17.0

Star Striker:Pavel Pogrebnyak is a Russian international player who has already had a small taster of Premiership football. Scored 6 goals in 12 games for Fulham but failed to agree terms on a contract. Was snapped up by Reading Top Scorer Price 81.0

18:Wigan - Last season 15th.  To Be Relegated 2.75; Not To Be Relegated 1.50

Wigan continued their annual escape from relegation at the end of last season with a stunning run of results, Beating several top sides. Playing good football which is a signature of Roberto Martinez. Currently Wigan have not signed anybody and released Diame,Kirkland and Rodallega. Only Diame really had an impact last season, Rodallega has talent but did not perform in 2012. Worrying for Wigan is the host of clubs after Victor Moses, Their standout player of last season. He would be sorely missed. The squad seems really lightweight and needs reinforcing.

Manager - Roberto Martinez is another young manager with great ability, sets his team up to play passing football. Was linked with several teams over the summer break but chose to remain at Wigan. Next Manager To Leave:17.0

Star Striker:Franco Di Santo as the start striker tells you how weak Wigan are. Only scoring twice in his first three season. However he looked a different player last season and hit 7 goals in 31 games. Top Scorer Price 151.0

19: Southampton - Last season Promoted, To Be Relegated 2.38; Not To Be Relegated 1.57

Southampton have been out the Premiership for 8 years, not helped by several points deductions after going into administration. Its really amazing they managed such a quick return to the top and that is a credit to manager Adkins and chairman Liebherr. (Who passed on in 2010) Southampton have made early moves in the transfer markets breaking their transfer record buying Jay Rodriguez and bringing in Steven Davis from defunct Rangers.Six players were released but no major losses.The squad is packed with potential class players but is light on top level experience.

Manager - Neil Adkins had a meteoric rise to the top after only previously managing Bangor and Scunthorpe. Will have a difficult task keeping his side in the Prem and may need to add to his squad to survive. Next Manager To Leave 13.0

Star Striker:Rickie Lambert is a striker with an excellent scoring rate but usually operates in the lower leagues.Has scored 202 goals in 538 games, last year netted 27 in 39 league games.

20: Norwich - Last season 12th. To Be Relegated 2.62; Not To Be Relegated 1.50.

Norwich had an excellent season last year finishing well above everyones expectations. Manager Lambert has left now which is a major loss. Chris Hughton is an under rated manager but will face a struggle with the limited squad. Have only signed Steven Whittiker from Rangers, releasing three players at the same time.

Manager - Chris Hughton is a highly respected coach who has done well at all his teams, was unfairly treated at Newcastle and left under a cloud. Will have his work cut out at Norwich and a season of struggles is ahead. Next Manager To Leave 17.0

Star Striker Grant Holt is another striker who was lethal in the lower reaches of the football leagues but did carry it on in England Prem. Scored an impressive 15 goals in 35 games and was a handful for many defences. Will be key man if Norwich are to escape relegation.Top Scorer Price 101.0