Premier League Survival Battle: Identifying the Teams at Risk
The fight against relegation in the Premier League is heating up, with several teams battling to stay in the top flight. Luton Town’s recent draw against Crystal Palace has given them hope in their fight for survival. The late equalizer by Cauley Woodrow has brought them within touching distance of the teams above them in the standings. Meanwhile, Sheffield United’s draw with Bournemouth has seen them move off the bottom of the table, but they still have a tough road ahead.
Luton Town’s manager, Rob Edwards, believes that the draw against Crystal Palace could be a turning point for his team. He sees it as a springboard that can propel them to more positive results. “To find a way when we’re not at our best, to find something and drag a result out is huge,” Edwards said. “We’re in this fight and we’re not going away.”
Chris Wilder, the manager of Sheffield United, is also hopeful after his team’s draw with Bournemouth. While he is pleased to be off the bottom of the table, he knows that consistency is key if they want to avoid relegation. “We have to show the consistency,” Wilder emphasized.
However, the battle for survival is far from straightforward. Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing uncertain futures due to alleged breaches in their accounts for the upcoming season. Both teams were charged in January, and if found guilty, they could face a points deduction. The verdict for Forest’s case is expected in April and would be subject to appeal. Everton had already been docked 10 points for breaking profit and sustainability rules, but that penalty was reduced to six points after an appeal.
With only eight points separating Luton and the four teams immediately above them – Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Everton, and Crystal Palace – every match is crucial in the relegation battle. Here are the upcoming fixtures for the teams involved:
– Bournemouth: 13 March v Luton (home); 30 March v Everton (home); 2 April v Crystal Palace (home); 6 April v Luton (away); 14 April v Man Utd (home); 20 April v Aston Villa (away); 27 April v Brighton (home); 4 May v Arsenal (away); 11 May v Brentford (home); 19 May v Chelsea (away).
– Crystal Palace: 30 March v Nott’m Forest (away); 2 April v Bournemouth (away); 6 April v Man City (home); 14 April v Liverpool (away); 20 April v West Ham (home); 27 April v Fulham (away); 4 May v Man Utd (home); 11 May v Wolves (away); 19 May v Aston Villa (home). Postponed to date TBC: Newcastle (home).
– Brentford: 16 March v Burnley (away); 30 March v Man Utd (home); 3 April v Brighton (home); 6 April v Aston Villa (away); 13 April v Sheff Utd (home); 20 April v Luton (away); 27 April v Everton (away); 4 May v Fulham (home); 11 May v Bournemouth (away); 19 May v Newcastle (home).
– Everton: 30 March v Bournemouth (away); 2 April v Newcastle (away); 6 April v Burnley (home); 15 April v Chelsea (away); 20 April v Nott’m Forest (home); 27 April v Brentford (home); 4 May v Luton (away); 11 May v Sheff Utd (home); 19 May v Arsenal (away). Postponed to date TBC: Liverpool (home).
– Nottingham Forest: 10 March v Brighton (away); 16 March v Luton (away); 30 March v Crystal Palace (home); 2 April v Fulham (home); 8 April v Tottenham (away); 13 April v Wolves (home); 20 April v Everton (away); 27 April v Man City (home); 4 May v Sheff Utd (away); 11 May v Chelsea (home); 19 May v Burnley (away).
– Luton Town: 13 March v Bournemouth (away); 16 March v Nott’m Forest (home); 30 March v Tottenham (away); 3 April v Arsenal (away); 6 April v Bournemouth (home); 13 April v Man City (away); 20 April v Brentford (home); 27 April v Wolves (away); 4 May v Everton (home); 11 May v West Ham (away); 19 May v Fulham (home).
– Burnley: 10 March v West Ham (away); 16 March v Brentford (home); 30 March v Chelsea (away); 2 April v Wolves (home); 6 April v Everton (away); 13 April v Brighton (home); 20 April v Sheff Utd (away); 27 April v Man Utd (away); 4 May v Newcastle (home); 11 May v Tottenham (away); 19 May v Nott’m Forest (home).
– Sheffield United: 30 March v Fulham (home); 4 April v Liverpool (away); 7 April v Chelsea (home); 13 April v Brentford (away); 20 April v Burnley (home); 27 April v Newcastle (away); 4 May v Nott’m Forest (home); 11 May v Everton (away); 19 May v Tottenham (home). Postponed to date TBC: Man Utd (away).
As the season draws to a close, the Premier League survival battle is set to intensify. With every point crucial, teams will be giving their all to avoid relegation. Only time will tell which teams will stay up and which ones will face the heartbreak of dropping down to the Championship.