These are the relegation challenges across the top 5 leagues in Europe in FM20. Staying in top flight football itself will be a worthwhile reward to managers looking to experiment with these clubs. We have taken into account the odds, the squad depth and form factors into consideration.
These are the relegation challenges across the top 5 leagues in Europe in FM20. Staying in top flight football itself will be a worthwhile reward to managers looking to experiment with these clubs. We have taken into account the odds, the squad depth and form factors into consideration.1. English Premier League – Newcastle United
Widely considered as the toughest league in the world due to its competitive nature, English Premier League is always a challenging place to survive with substandard squads. Although Newcastle United finished 13th in the 2018-19 season, they started off the current season with the highest odds of being relegated. The growing discord between owner and the fans, departure of regular coaching staff and wafer thin squad (by PL standards) and a shoestring budget will sure make taking up Newcastle United a tough challenge for even seasoned FM Managers in FM2020.
2. La Liga – CD Leganes
Another club with a decent showing in the 2018-19 season (13th in the league) but has drawn the highest odds of getting relegated this time around are Leganes. Their odds are so low that even newly promoted teams are given of better chance of surviving over them. In a similar story to Newcastle, with a very thin squad which lacks quality in all departments and the owners’ unwillingness to spend, Leganes will once again prove to be a tough choice for even daring challengers. Their start in real life in the 2019-20 season reflects this as well with Leganes sitting at the bottom of the table with only 2 points from 9 games.
3. Serie A – US Lecce
Serie A is an unforgiving league for newly promoted sides and statistically 2 out of 3 promoted teams get relegated immediately every season. Lecce being a newly promoted side will have it tough just like other seasons. Their squad lacks great quality and the club operates on a very tight budget. Even the club’s ambitions are very basic with survival being the only target. All these factors have resulted in giving Lecce the worst odds of surviving in the Serie A. With a host of unknown names and a tight budget to operate on coming up against some of the best teams week in week out will be a daunting task for even the most seasoned of FM managers. This is one hurdle that may just be too steep.
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4. Bundesliga – Paderborn
There is a pattern here with newly promoted teams struggling to make the cut at the highest level and Paderborn are no different. Paderborn have the best odds for teams to get relegated from the Bundesliga this season. Not a financial powerhouse by any stretch of imagination, Paderborn have mediocrity in their squad, one that will challenge any manager to keep them afloat. Unsurprisingly in real life they’re struggling too with them having won the least points amongst all teams in the top 5 leagues across Europe with just 1 point from 8 games.
5. Ligue 1 – FCO Dijon
In real life the club stands in the 19th position in the Ligue 1 points table, this might not be far off from where they could end up in FM 20. With very poor quality in attack and a minimal transfer budget it is hard to see where you will get goals if and when you manage Dijon. This is probably a reflection of real life where they have scored just 5 goals from their 10 league games. The club went really close to relegation in the 2018-19 season, only surviving through a playoff but many feel that they will not be as lucky this time around. You can pat yourself on the back if you take over as Dijon manager and manage to keep them afloat.
Final thoughts
To conclude, these 5 are my picks for managers who want a real challenge on their hands to save their club from certain relegation in FM20. Irregular club structure, minimal transfer and wage budgets & paper thin squad balance without any actual stars is a common occurrence in all of these teams. Can you overcome the footfalls and keep them up?!
