The statistic that is bad news for Fulham as they…

The statistic that is bad news for Fulham as they target immediate return to Premier League

Teams relegated from the Premier League have around a one in four chance of coming straight back up again, history suggests.

A total of 79 teams were relegated from the top flight between 1992/93 and 2017/18.

Just over a quarter of those, 21 in total, went back up at the first time of asking. That number could increase to 22 if West Brom win the playoffs this month.

It might sound like encouraging news for Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield - who will all be hoping that their stay in the Championship will be a short one.

The trouble is, for many relegated clubs, it’s anything but.

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Teams who fail to bounce back in the first season are much less likely to do so in subsequent attempts.

While 21 teams have been promoted to the Premier League at the first time of asking, only seven were promoted on their second attempt - and only three on their third.

As a result there are now more than enough former Premier League teams to make up an entire division.

A total of 20 current EFL sides were in the top flight five or more years ago.

That works out as 31% of the clubs who were relegated between 1992/93 and 2012/13 (five years ago). On top of that there are another eight clubs who were relegated in the last five seasons who have yet to make it back to the top flight.

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Number of teams promoted by seasons after relegation

First season - 21 (27%)

Second season - 7 (13%)

Third season - 3 (7%)

Fourth season - 5 (12%)

Fifth season - 3 (9%)

Sixth season or later - 12

Number of teams promoted as a percentage of those still in the lower leagues

Season after relegation // Teams promoted

First season after relegation - 27%

Second season after relegation - 13%