Premier League Relegation 2010: Who Will Join Portsmouth and Burnley?

One year ago today, I wrote my first ever article on Bleacher Report, called Possible EPL Relegation 2009.

Now that my one-year anniversary is here, I have once again created a list of the five sides that I believe are destined for relegation to the Championship. Last year, I had two of the three sides going down correct, so hopefully I will get all three correct this time around!

Well, this 2009-2010 Premier League season has seen many different memorable moments, for there is not only a tight race on the top of the Premier League table, there is also a really tight race on the bottom of the table.

Right now, I see five sides that have a legitimate chance of falling into the Coca-Cola Championship next season. Those clubs are as follows: Portsmouth, Burnley, Hull City, West Ham United and Wigan Athletic.

Here is my breakdown of all five sides, a recap of their season to date, and if I believe if they will stay up or not.

Portsmouth

Result through 33 matches: 14 Points (Nine points were lost due to Portsmouth going into administration).

This has been arguably the worst season ever by a Premier League club, as Portsmouth became the first ever Premier League club to go into administration, in large part to the revolving door of owners at Fratton Park this season.

With players constantly being sold and with administration docking nine points off Portsmouth's already-meager total of 23 points, Portsmouth are a complete mess. Right now, all that they have to play for is the FA Cup, where they now have to face Tottenham Hotspur on April 11 in the semifinal at Wembley Stadium.

Where Portsmouth will be next season: Obviously, Portsmouth will be relegated to the Championship, and they probably will not return to the Premier League for several seasons as they need to get their finances straightened out.

Burnley

Result through 33 matches: 24 points

In their first ever season in the Premier League, Burnley were able to get off to a great start. By beating the likes of Manchester United and Everton at Turf Moor, Burnley were expected to stay up for the rest of the season.

But as winter approached, Burnley's magic disappeared completely as manager Owen Coyle left Burnley for Bolton in early January, and Burnley have still not been able to put anything together since then.

Where Burnley will be next season: Burnley are going down to the Championship. They have been a side that did look good enough at the beginning of the Premier League season, but that is all over now, as Burnley will be headed down.

Hull City

Result through 32 matches: 27 points

In the second season of Premier League football for the Tigers, Hull City have once again found themselves at the bottom of the league table, even though they are tied with West Ham on points with a game in hand for the final relegation spot.

After the dismissal of Phil Brown, who helped guide Hull City into the Premier League, Hull City have lost to both Portsmouth and Stoke City, but they did beat Fulham as Iain Dowie tries to keep Hull City up.

Where Hull City will be next season: Hull City have performed well enough this season to be a side around 10th at times, and I feel that the Tigers will be able to stay up again after narrowly avoiding Relegation last season.

West Ham United

Result through 33 matches: 28 points

After a ninth-place finish under Gianfranco Zola last season, West Ham did have hopes of maybe getting into a spot for European qualification, but this has been a season to forget for West Ham, as they currently lay 17th in the League table.

But somehow, Zola has been able to keep his job after his recent problems with the new management, and he now finds himself with his job intact for possibly the rest of the season, as West Ham were able to secure a draw against Everton last weekend.

Where West Ham will be next season:  Despite how dysfunctional this season has been for West Ham, there will be Premier League football at Upton Park next season as West Ham will narrowly avoid relegation.

Wigan Athletic

Result through 33 matches: 31 points

Even though they have been a mainstay in the Premier League for the last several seasons, Wigan have once again found themselves on the bottom of the table, as they currently find themselves in 16th place.

But despite beating sides such as Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool this season, Wigan find themselves just four points away from the drop zone as the season comes to its finish.

Where Wigan will be next year: Throughout this season, Wigan have been inconsistent against the weaker sides in the Premier League, as they have suffered losses to Hull City, Portsmouth and Burnley.

With that in mind, I see Wigan going down to the Championship as they will not be able to win another match this season.

Finally, this historic Premier League season has had many ups and downs, and now that the season is coming to a close, it will be interesting to see who will be going down and who will be staying up.