It's been a quarter of a century since the Premier League has last seen all three of it's newly promoted sides go straight back down to the Championship. But with Burnley and Luton yet to get off the mark this season and Sheffield United only being a point ahead of them, could this be the year where history repeats itself?
Since the Premier League's inception, only once have all three teams been relegated after only just being promoted. In the 1997/98 season Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Crystal Palace all lost their top flight status just a year after going up.
On the contrary, the last time all new promoted teams stayed in the division was the 2017/18 season, when Newcastle, Brighton and Huddersfield all avoided the drop. However, it would take something of miraculous proportions for this to happen again come May.
Burnley
The Clarets were touted by some as one of the best teams the Championship has ever seen last season, as they racked up an impressive 101 points. Manager, Vincent Kompany had his team playing attacking, attractive football, something that the Turf Moor faithful haven't always been used to seeing. However, after their first few games in the top flight, it is clear to see that the Premier League is a different kettle of fish to the Championship.
Read more: Taking the title to your rivals - Burnley are champions
So far, Burnley have particularly struggled to cope at the back with the higher standard of attacking quality in the division. Kompany's side have played a game less than the majority of Premier League teams, yet have still conceded the most goals.
The one positive Burnley fans can take from their start to life in the Premier League, is that their games have came against in-form Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham. It is for this reason that some may be too quick to judge The Clarets, who are better suited to playing lower level teams.
Sheffield United
It wasn't so long ago that Sheffield United were challenging for European places in the Premier League. With the likes of Oliver Norwood, John Egan and Oli McBurnie still at the club from that side, you'd think their experience would stand them in good stead going into this season.
However, it has been a tough start for The Blades, picking up only one point from four games. Paul Heckingbottom has also lost two of his best players from last season in Ilaman Ndiaye and Sander Berge during the summer, players it'll be very hard for him to replace.
Despite their poor start, it can be argued Sheffield United have been quite unlucky. The games they have lost have all been by a one goal margin and they could've easily won with the chances they had in the match they drew against Everton. Although, while some will say unfortunate, others will say it's down to the lack of attacking quality in the side.
Luton Town
Of the promoted teams, it's fair to say Luton have the least expectation on them to stay up and rightfully so. For a team that were playing in the Conference League just nine years ago, it was an extraordinary achievement to finish third in the Championship last season and an even bigger one to win the Playoffs.
Read more: Getting to know YOUR Premier League club before the start of the season - Luton Town
As expected, The Hatters have struggled so far in their first ever season in the big time. Three games in, Rob Edwards' team are yet to secure any sort of result and it looks as if their time in the Premier League will be short lived.
One thing is for sure, if their top flight stay is only for a year, every away fan in the country will remember their trip through the back gardens into Kenilworth road.
Predictions
I think Luton and Sheffield United are destined for the drop, however if United can keep up their performances at Bramall Lane, it will be a tough venue for any side in the division.
As for Burnley, their tough run of fixtures continues over the next few weeks but if they can stay within touching distance of the teams above them (Everton, Bournemouth, Wolves) they may still have a chance of survival.
Believe it or not, I could actually see a relegation scrap between Burnley and Sean Dyche's Everton this season, the man Clarets' fans have a Pub dedicated to!
Is it too early to judge the newly promoted sides? Or is it about time that the three that come up, go down? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below...
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