Promotion to the Premier League should be a moment of celebration, but recent history has shown how difficult it is to remain there. All six promoted teams were relegated across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, reinforcing fears that the financial and competitive gap between the top two divisions had become too wide.
The 2025/26 campaign offered a more encouraging example. Sunderland finished seventh with 54 points, the joint-best finish by a promoted side since Wolves in 2018/19. Leeds United ended the season in 14th, eight points clear of relegation, while Burnley were the only newcomers to go straight back down.
Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City are attempting to follow that more successful path in 2026/27. After six matches, Hull and Ipswich had each collected nine points, while Coventry had six. All three were outside the relegation zone.
Their early form provides a foundation, but survival requires more than a promising start. Promoted clubs must recruit intelligently, adapt without abandoning their identity and collect enough points against the teams around them.
Make a Fast Start
Early points can be especially valuable for promoted teams. They create confidence, prevent an immediate gap from developing and reduce the pressure surrounding difficult fixtures later in the season.
The historical figures are striking. None of the 16 promoted teams to collect at least eight points from their opening five Premier League matches have been relegated. Of the 29 that took at least seven points, only four went down.
The outlook becomes considerably less encouraging below that threshold. Ten of the 14 promoted clubs that earned exactly six points from their first five matches were eventually relegated. Among those collecting three points or fewer, 22 of 25 went down.
Hull and Ipswich have therefore given themselves a valuable platform in 2026/27. Coventry’s recovery from three opening defeats to win its next two matches was also important, although six points from the first five games historically represents a dangerous position rather than a comfortable one.
A good start does not guarantee survival, but a poor one can leave…
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