Sunderland and QPR looking uneasy in relegation dogfight
Published:
Just 10 measly points separate Everton in 12th spot from Leicester at the foot of the table, making the remaining 12 games each affected club has this season vitally important.
Deciding which three of the nine strugglers will end up in the Championship is a tough task, such is the fluctuating nature of the bottom-half of the division this season. At least it was until this handy relegation guide arrived at your fingerips:
Everton
Position: 12th
Points from last 6 games: 7
Key to survival: Their squad. Firmly from the “too good to go down” school, the Toffees should steer away from danger on the back of their quality. Only three remaining fixtures against the current top five helps too.
Prediction: Safe
Crystal Palace
Position: 13th
Points from last 6 games: 10
Key to survival: Alan Pardew. The former Newcastle boss has given the Eagles a considerable shot in the arm since his arrival and the dose isn’t likely to fade away any time soon, although their home form is a worry.
Prediction: Safe
West Brom
Position: 14th
Points from last 6 games: 9
Key to survival: Performances against the big boys. The Baggies have to play all of the current top six once more before the season is out, more than any other side fighting for survival. Tony Pulis knows how to steady a ship though.
Prediction: Safe
Hull
Position: 15th
Points from last 6 games: 7
Key to survival: Holding their nerve with Steve Bruce. Some of their relegation rivals have acted swiftly in making a change in the dugout to give their survival bids some momentum, while Hull chose to stick by their man. Letting him see out the season is now a priority.
Prediction: Safe
Sunderland
Position: 16th
Points from last 6 games: 5
Key to survival: Winning. The Black Cats have been tough to beat this term, but simply can’t afford to go on drawing as much. At their current stalemate-rate, Sunderland will pick up at least six points from their last 12 games, but that won’t be enough unless they bolt wins on to them.
Prediction: Relegated
Queens Park Rangers
Position: 17th
Points from last 6 games: 3
Key to survival: Away results. The Hoops are far better at home, but have an almost exclusive set of European-chasing visitors coming to Loftus Road in the remaining part of the season. Away games against fellow strugglers are crucial, but one win all term on the road indicates safety is beyond them.
Prediction: Relegated
Burnley
Position: 18th
Points from last 6 games: 5
Key to survival: Beating relegation rivals. Collecting 12 points from games against the sides in this guide is a handy return for Sean Dyche; something he’ll have to continue in the remaining four to ensure Premier League football for another term.
Prediction: Safe
Aston Villa
Position: 19th
Points from last 6 games: 0
Key to survival: Goals. Villa’s profligacy is the stuff of legend, but with attack-loving Tim Sherwood now in charge that should change. Defeat in his first game isn’t cause for concern; he lost his debut as Spurs boss too.
Prediction: Safe
Leicester
Position:20th
Points from last 6 games: 4
Key to survival: A miracle. Unfortunately the Foxes look like the only side dead and buried. They have the worst home record in the league, the second worst on the road, the third worst form and a manager attracting unwanted off-pitch attention.
Prediction: Relegated
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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