Who are the Premier League’s biggest post-World Cup strugglers?

With the Premier League and the rest of Europe’s elite all forced into a winter break due to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, this season always had the feel of something unique.

Returning from an unprecedented six-week interval at the back of December, this season has essentially been broken into two separate campaigns.

However, while the likes of Manchester United might have continued to shine since returning from the World Cup break, others haven’t been so fortunate.

After only just inching past the halfway point of this season’s campaign, we have taken a look at who has been the Premier League’s biggest post-World Cup strugglers.

 

Liverpool cannot buy a good performance

While Liverpool might have opened the 2022/23 campaign with their sights set on mounting another genuine title charge, Jurgen Klopp’s superstars are enduring a real Premier League nightmare.

Marking their return from the World Cup interval on December 22nd as they suffered a 3-2 loss away at Manchester City on EFL Cup duties, the one-time Borussia Dortmund boss hasn’t seen things get any better.

With there now growing pressure on Klopp’s shoulders, fans around Anfield have seen their side open February priced as high as 5/1 with the SBK £10 free bet offer to clinch a much-needed top-four finish come May.

Along with crashing out of this year’s FA Cup following a last-gasp 2-1 loss away at Brighton on January 29th, Liverpool have recorded just a trio of victories from their 10 post-World Cup appearances across all competitions.

While the former Premier League champions might be excited by the Champions League return later in the month, they have quickly gained a reputation for their domestic issues on the road.

In fact, since opening the New Year, Liverpool have lost each of their first three Premier League away fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-1.

Liverpool's top scorer in the Premier League since the World Cup is Wout Faes (OG) pic.twitter.com/prEf8ToXMS

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 5, 2023

 

Crystal Palace might get dragged into the relegation scrap

Although Crystal Palace might have managed to claim a crucial 2-0 victory away at Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve, it appears that was just a minor boost for Patrick Vieira’s downbeat squad.

While the one-time Arsenal skipper might find his side priced as high as 12/1 to lose their Premier League status this season, some fans around Selhurst Park could be starting to look over their shoulder.

Despite heading into the World Cup’s winter break with just a pair of defeats from their final seven top-flight appearances, the Eagles have certainly failed to keep up that same momentum since returning to action.

Along with crashing out of the FA Cup on January 7th following a shock 2-1 loss at home against relegation scrappers Southampton, Crystal Palace have recorded just a single victory from their eight post-World Cup appearances across all competitions and they’re 10/1 to be relegated with the Coral welcome bonus which gets you £20 when you bet £5.

Showing some extended problems in south London, Vieira’s side have also failed to muster a sole domestic victory at Selhurst Park from any of their five attempts since the festive interval.

 

Bournemouth look set for the Championship

Heading into the World Cup break with a thumping 3-0 romp at home against Everton, it looks like the festive interval certainly couldn’t have come at a worst time for Bournemouth.

While the Cherries might have certainly splashed their new-found cash during the January transfer window, Gary O’Neil’s struggling side are now priced as low as 1/5 to be hit with an immediate Championship return in 2023.

Despite finding an initial boost when appointing O’Neil on a permanent basis back in November, Bournemouth have come crashing back down to earth in a rather spectacular fashion and O’Neil is 8/1 in the Premier League next manager to be sacked odds.

Hit with a remarkable 4-2 hammering at the hands of Championship outfit Burnley while on FA Cup duties on January 7th, Bournemouth have failed to muster a sole win from their eight post-World Cup appearances across all formats.

Likewise, putting just a single point on their board from their six Premier League showdowns since returning from the festive interval, fans around the Vitality will know that they face a huge uphill struggle this year.

 

Chelsea cannot get their new signings to knit….yet

While Chelsea might have stolen plenty of the headlines as they broke the bank during the January transfer window, the Blues still find themselves in the midst of an extended Premier League rut.

Despite appointing Graham Potter back in September, the former European champions are in an almost identical position to fellow heavyweights Liverpool.

Still at the heart of a mid-table scrap and opening February priced as high as 12/1 using the bet365 free bet to clinch an automatic Champions League ticket, the Blues have come under increasing scrutiny since returning from the World Cup break.

Crashing out of the FA Cup on January 8th following a woeful 4-0 drumming at the hands of Manchester City, Chelsea have won just a pair of their eight domestic matchups since returning to action.

Showing some rather glaring issues in the final third, Potter’s superstar squad have also recorded just a single Premier League victory since opening 2023.

Almost finding themselves sat in Premier League limbo, the ex-Brighton manager could be facing a race against time to save his job at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 9 highest transfers paid. pic.twitter.com/VONgDnKkXm

— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) February 9, 2023

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