*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
The race for relegation, for want of a better term, looks pretty straight forward in that Sheffield United and West Brom seem doomed. While Southampton and Crystal Palace don’t look great, the gap and the weakness of the teams below should see them safe from the drop. Below is a look at the four teams in danger of joining the Blades and the Baggies in the Championship next season.
Fulham
If you have just 22 points from 25 games then you know you are in trouble. Their recent form is encouraging and, if anything, they are the team with a spring in their step of those at the bottom of the table.
Scott Parker is doing a brilliant job in keeping their heads up and they, for me, are the best organised team of the relegation candidates. Scott Parker, I’m sure, has looked at the fixtures and would love the opportunity of welcoming Newcastle to Craven Cottage on the final day of the season in a winner-take-all contest in terms of Premier League survival. It just might happen.
Newcastle
While Fulham have a spring in their step Newcastle are the opposite. A thankless job and the fact that Steve Bruce has kept himself upright is a credit to him with everything going on in the background.
If things were not bad enough, coronavirus has struck key players and has added to their struggles. The next three fixtures are crucial at home to Wolves, away to West Brom and at home to Aston Villa.
Despite the odd surprise result they look in free fall and you wonder where the next points will come from. Newcastle are in real danger of the drop.
- READ MORE: Our verdict on the race for the Top 4
Brighton
If points were given for xG, Graham Potter would have Brighton top of the Premier League. But despite their huffing and puffing, they only have 26 points from 25 games.
They are an easy watch and have a couple of crucial fixtures coming up away to West Brom and a home match against Newcastle. Graham Potter will be well aware the final two fixtures are at home to Manchester City and away to Arsenal and he will hope to be safe by then. I think they will just about get away with it this season and remain in the division.
Burnley
Burnley have a brilliant manager in Sean Dyche and they are lucky to have him. Something that is worth mentioning is that there is likely to be a few managerial positions up for grabs in the coming weeks with his name being mentioned.
Such is the job he has done, that if he were to leave Burnley it would be a huge blow and one that could certainly see them as relegation candidates in the blink of an eye. They currently sit in 15th position in the league on 28 points but have Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester, Arsenal and Everton in their next four games. Scary times for Burnley fans on and off the pitch.
Verdict
It is certainly hard to see where the above teams will get points in their upcoming fixtures and I think it is between Newcastle and Fulham to see who will join Sheffield United and West Brom for the drop. That final fixture of the season which sees Fulham at home to Newcastle could be the decider and might mean that Scott Parker will get his wish. I think Newcastle could be in trouble.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
READ MORE
- Premier League Sack Race Odds: Latest on who could be shown the door next
- Next Celtic Manager Odds: Latest on Neil Lennon replacement
- Exclusive: Liverpool shift focus to retaining net spend league title