Who has the easiest run-in of the Premier League relegation battlers?
It’s shaping up to be a Premier League relegation battle for the ages, with only a few points separating Leeds United, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
M23 rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton have done enough in recent weeks to move up to the comfortable bosom of midtable, although they might nervously look over their shoulders if the sides below continue to pick up form.
Further down, we can probably safely assume that Burnley and Wolves will be in the Championship next season, although the greatest of great escapes might actually be on if Rob Edwards’ side can string a few more wins together. For now, though, we’re not considering them in the mix.
It looks almost certain that one of Leeds, Spurs, Forest or West Ham will finish 17th and be playing second-tier football next season. But which of them have the easiest run-in?
Dates for your diary in terms of must-watch nail-biting relegation six-pointers are Tottenham hosting Nottingham Forest (immediately after the second leg of their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid), Leeds away to Tottenham in early May and West Ham hosting Leeds on the final day – which has all the makings of a classic if they’re still within three points of one another.
West Ham have some tough fixtures coming up. They’ve got City up next, then Villa, and are the only relegation-battler who still have league leaders Arsenal to play.
They’re currently 18th and still have a gap to bridge, despite their signs of life of late, but they’ll back themselves if they’re still within touching distance when Wolves visit the east end in mid-April.
Nottingham Forest will be looking nervously at their trips away to top six sides Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Vitor Pereira’s side will back themselves to cause a few upsets and punch above their weight, though, having just taken a 2-2 draw from their trip to title-chasing Manchester City.
Tottenham ought to be getting nervous. They too have three of the top six yet to play, and all away from home. Anfield is never easy, but after that they have a real opportunity to put themselves in a decent position with Forest, Sunderland, Brighton and Wolves in succession.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United have – on paper – the ‘easiest’ remaining fixtures of all 20 clubs remaining in the division. Old foes Manchester United are the only top six side still to play, while every other remaining opponent sits in midtable or the bottom half.
However, Leeds’ recent 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland makes any such fixtures look far from straightforward. While having taken numerous points from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa this season will give them hope of coming away from Old Trafford with something.
Here’s a full breakdown of all the remaining fixtures in the Premier League relegation battle.
West Ham
Manchester City (H) – 2nd
Aston Villa (A) – 4th
Wolves (H) – 20th
Crystal Palace (A) – 14th
Everton (H) – 8th
Brentford (A) – 7th
Arsenal (H) – 1st
Newcastle (A) – 12th
Leeds (H) – 15th
Nottingham Forest
Fulham (H) – 10th
Tottenham (A) – 16th
Aston Villa (A) – 4th
Burnley (H) – 19th
Sunderland (A) – 11th
Chelsea (A) – 5th
Newcastle (H) – 12th
Manchester United (A) – 3rd
Bournemouth (H) – 9th
Tottenham
Liverpool (A) – 6th
Nottingham Forest (H) – 17th
Sunderland (A) – 11th
Brighton (H) – 13th
Wolves (A) – 20th
Aston Villa (A) – 3rd
Leeds (H) – 15th
Chelsea (A) – 5th
Everton (H) – 8th
Leeds
Crystal Palace (A) – 14th
Brentford (H) – 7th
Manchester United (A) – 3rd
Wolves (H) – 20th
Bournemouth (A) – 9th
Burnley (H) – 19th
Tottenham (A) – 16th
Brighton (H) – 13th
West Ham (A) – 18th
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