Hull City favourites for the drop

If the bookmakers are right, Hull City will need to make the most of their time in the Premier League next season for their prospects of avoiding relegation are slim.

The Tigers reached the top-flight for the first time in their 104-year history when beating Bristol City 1-0 in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final on Saturday, only to instantly be installed favourites to make a hasty return.

Bet365 make Hull 30-100 to take the drop next year, with fellow Premier League newcomers Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion respectively priced at 1-2 and evens.

Fulham, who pulled off an unlikely escape act this time, winning four of their final five league matches, are 2-1 to suffer a reverse in fortunes and fall next season.

However, the portents are not all bad for Hull. Phil Brown, their manager, was assistant to Sam Allardyce when Bolton were promoted to the Premier League through the play-offs in 2001 and saw the club establish themselves among the elite.

To be relegated from the Premier League 2008/2009: Bet365 bet: 30-100 Hull City, 1-2 Stoke City, evens West Bromwich Albion, 2-1 Fulham, 5-2 Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, 9-2 Sunderland, 7-1 Middlesbrough, 8-1 West Ham United, 12-1 Manchester City, 16-1 Newcastle United (others on request).