With the title decided, and the top four spots looking pretty much sewn up, the most fascinating Premier League battle for the remainder of the season is at the bottom of the table. Seven teams are all at risk of relegation, so Max Liu looks at their form, fixtures and odds, and discusses their chances of survival…
“Southampton need to win this weekend’s home match against Bournemouth, as well as the trip to Swansea, then take something from either Everton (a) or Manchester City (h) on the final day. So far, Hughes doesn’t look like he’s got what it takes to pull off a great escape.”
Experienced manager repeating old tricks
Crystal Palace
Position/points: 14th/35
Relegation odds: [38.0]
Six points from the drop zone and with three to play, Palace should be safe. In Roy Hodgson, they have an experienced manager, who saved Fulham from relegation against the odds back in 2008. Their form over their past five matches reads: DWDLW. They play Leicester at home next, followed by matches against Stoke and West Brom, both of whom could be relegated by then.
Verdict: Safe.
Tough run-in but Hammers have decent points cushion
West Ham
Position/points: 15th/35
Relegation Odds: [18.5]
West Ham have four to play, although one of them, this Sunday, is at home to Manchester City, so Hammers fans might have to write that one off when making forecasts about how many points they can realistically take between now and the end of the season. A trip to Leicester and two home matches against Manchester United and Everton will not be easy, but one more win should secure their top flight status.
Verdict: Safe.
Hosting Everton offers best chance of that vital win
Huddersfield
Position/points: 16th/35
Relegation Odds: [6.6]
David Wagner’s team are level on points with the two teams above them – all three have 35 – so, as with West Ham and Crystal Palace, another win should see them safe. Huddersfield’s best chance of getting that appears to be on Saturday, at home to Everton. If they lost that, then they will start to worry as their final three fixtures are against Manchester City (a), Chelsea (a) and Arsenal (h).
Verdict: Safe(ish)
Games at the Liberty are going to be key
Swansea City
Position/points: 17th/33
Relegation Odds: [4.9]
With four to play, Swansea are four points above the relegation zone but their fans will be concerned that they have taken only two points from their last five matches. The upturn in form, that Carlos Carvalhal brought about when he took over as manager, appears to have fallen apart at exactly the wrong moment. Three of their last four are at home, including the crunch match against Southampton on May 8.
Verdict: In the balance.
Crucial must-win games on the horizon
Southampton
Position/points: 18th/29
Relegation Odds: [1.55]
If Mark Hughes is to save Southampton then he is leaving it very late. They are the only team in the drop zone that look like they could climb out but, under Hughes, Saints have drawn one and lost three in the league. They need to win this weekend’s home match against Bournemouth, as well as the trip to Swansea, then take something from either their tip to Everton or their home fixture against Manchester City on the final day. A tall order and, so far, Hughes doesn’t look like he’s got what it takes to pull of a great escape.
Verdict: Going down (probably).
Potters left with too much to do
Stoke City
Position/points: 19th/29
Relegation Odds: [1.11]
Stoke are six points from safety and have played one game fewer than the two team directly above them. They are in serious trouble, in part due to Mark Hughes, of course, who was sacked as their manager earlier this season, and replaced by the determined but limited Paul Lambert. Three defeats and two draws in their past five matches doesn’t suggest they’re about to pull off a miracle. They go to Liverpool on Saturday, followed by a home match against Palace and final day trip to Swansea, by which time it will probably be too late.
Verdict: Going down.
Impossible task for Baggies
West Bromwich Albion
Position/points: 20th/25
Relegation Odds: [1.01]
West Brom’s fate was probably sealed the moment they sacked Tony Pulis. Their form under him had been abysmal but you always sensed he could turn it around. Alan Pardew’s reign was disastrous and the board’s delay in sacking him indicated they were already planning for life in the Championship. If they’d move quicker then who knows what Darren Moore might have achieved. His stint as caretaker has been impressive, with a win at Old Trafford and draw against Liverpool. To have any chance of staying up, they need to beat Newcastle (a), Spurs (h) and Palace (a), and hope results go their way elsewhere.
Verdict: Going down.
Source: Betfair Premier League
