(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media / Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Tue 12 August 2025 21:00, UK

Leeds, Sunderland, and Burnley will face a nightmare task trying to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

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That is according to Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively he fears the league has become “anti-competitive”.

Of the last six teams to achieve promotion to England’s top flight, all six suffered an immediate relegation to the Championship.

In a bid to bridge the gap and secure survival this season, Leeds and Sunderland have both been particularly active in the transfer window this summer.

Leicester plummeted back down to the Championship last season.

Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

But that divide between the two leagues has grown immeasurably in recent seasons in both a financial and competitive sense, despite the existence of parachute payments.

Sunderland made Habib Diarra their record signing this summer, whilst Leeds are looking to add Rodrigo Muniz to their front-line.

This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.

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Both Leeds and Burnley reached the 100-point mark last season, finishing a full 10 points ahead of Sheffield United in third.

However, Leicester City registered 97 points and Ipswich Town 96 the season before, with both sides relegated well before the final day of the season last term.

Habib Diarra’s stats for Strasbourg in the 2024/25 season.

(Credit: Getty Images)

Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, former Southampton striker Le Tissier explained why he was concerned about the Premier League’s competitiveness.

He said: “I hope it’s not the case because I don’t want to see it becoming just a formality that the three that come up go straight back down again.

I think it would be good to see at least one of those teams stay up.”

Their chances of staying up are slim, but that hasn’t stopped Daniel Farke’s side from aggressively attacking the transfer market.

Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively that Liverpool plan to accept an offer for Ben Doak this summer.



Ben Doak is a target for Leeds this summer.

The Scotland international’s asking price has been set at around £20million, although Leeds are not the only club interested, with West Ham and Crystal Palace also keen on the 19-year-old.

Farke is in need of a new right-winger and after a strong showing with Middlesbrough on loan last season, Doak would be a phenomenal addition for the German boss.

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