We are all enjoying one of the most engaging and entertaining Premier League seasons in recent memory, despite the fact it contains arguably the worst bottom three we’ve ever seen.
Burnley and Sheffield United have been abysmal, and although Luton Town have been interesting to follow, they don’t possess a whole lot of quality.
The Hatters have earned a lot of praise for their fighting spirit, pulling out big wins against Newcastle and Brighton as well as drawing with Liverpool – but they’ve also lost 19 matches so far.
These three sides have amassed a combined total of just 59 points so far this season. So, could this be the worst bottom three ever?
The worst ever bottom threes in Premier League history:
5. 2007/08 – Derby, Birmingham, Reading – 82 points
It will hardly be a surprise to anyone that this particular season features on the list, given it includes the worst points total from a club in Premier League history, set by Derby County.
The Rams really brought the average down that year, with Birmingham and Reading accounting for 87 percent of the aggregated points total of the bottom three.
Unlike Derby, both of those clubs had a realistic hope of staying up on the final day of the Premier League campaign. In the end the Blues finished one point from safety while the Royals agonisingly went down on goal difference with 36 points.
The lowest points totals in Premier League history
4. 2021/22 – Norwich, Watford, Burnley – 80 points
Norwich City and Watford went straight back down to the Championship following terrible campaigns, picking up just 22 and 23 points respectively. The Canaries were still in their yoyo period, but haven’t returned to the top flight since, while the Hornets went through a series of managers (as is their wont).
Burnley, meanwhile, saw their six-year stay in the Premier League come to an end, going down on the final day as Leeds and Everton avoided the drop. Mike Jackson won the April Manager of the Month award after replacing Sean Dyche, but the new manager bounce wasn’t enough to survive.
3. 2005/06 – Sunderland, West Brom, Birmingham – 79 points
Before Derby came along in 2008, Sunderland held the record for the fewest points gained in a single Premier League season, picking up just 15 over 38 games in 2005/06. They were a truly wretched team who added nothing to the division.
West Brom won twice as many points as that, while Birmingham City ended the campaign with 34 points.
Note: The bottom three in 2009/10 also had 79 points, though Portsmouth were deducted nine points for entering administration.
Five of the worst teams in Premier League history
2. 2020/21 – Sheffield United, West Brom, Fulham – 77 points
This particular season Sheffield United were competing for the worst Premier League team ever, while West Brom were not far off that level. Not even Big Sam could save them in the end.
Fulham were fully in their yoyo era as they bounced back to the second tier before returning in 2020. The Cottagers managed to score just nine goals in front of their utterly depressed home fans.
1. 2018/19 – Huddersfield, Fulham, Cardiff – 72 points
This might just be the most hopeless trio of football teams in Premier League history. Very early in the season it became quite clear that these were the worst teams in the league and it would take a miracle to not be relegated.
In fairness to Cardiff City they gave it a right go under Neil Warnock, their direct style of play earning them 34 points, just two off safety.
A hapless Fulham could only muster 26 points, but the wooden spoon belongs to Huddersfield Town, whose 16 points is the third-worst total of the Premier League era.
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