It’s the race that no club wants to be involved in, but the battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League is heating up.
While several clubs need miracles to overcome significant point deficits and survive, there is still plenty to play for at the foot of the table, although time is beginning to run out as the 2023/24 season nears its conclusion.
As if there wasn’t already enough pressure at the bottom, both Everton and Nottingham Forest have had to deal with points deductions, with the threat of even more between now and the end of the campaign.
Here are the favourites for relegation from the Premier League – ranked.
It seems unlikely that Brentford will be drawn into a relegation battle, especially with Ivan Toney back in the mix and their form beginning to turn following a difficult start to the season.
The Bees have a relatively straightforward fixture list to end the campaign having played the traditional ‘Big Six’ and Newcastle United twice already this term.
They also have the chance to steal points off relegation rivals when they host Sheffield United and travel to Luton Town and Everton – although defeats in those matches could drag them towards the bottom three.
A four-point deduction changed the complexion of Nottingham Forest’s season and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side would almost certainly be safe already if it wasn’t for their punishment from the Premier League.
However, they’re now just 17th and only several points ahead of Luton. They will be casting a nervous eye over their shoulder in the final weeks of the campaign.
Despite their current predicament, the Midlands side do have plenty of match-winners in their ranks, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood having proved handy in front of goal, while Murillo has been mightily impressive at the back.
Everton’s future looks increasingly uncertain. They have already been handed a six-point deduction for financial breaches – reduced from an initial ten – but could face another docking before the end of the campaign.
Therefore, it’s tough to know just how many points the Toffees need to beat the drop, with Sean Dyche’s side having struggled for form and, most importantly, goals this season.
The Merseyside club are yet to win a Premier League match in 2024 and are showing few signs of going on a run of positive results.
The main positive for Everton is that they still have to play plenty of the teams around them, including Luton, Nottingham Forest, Burnley, Sheffield United and Brentford.
The Hatters have often been one of the feel-good stories of the Premier League season, overcoming their plucky underdog status to pick up some impressive results.
However, their spirited displays haven’t often increased their points tally, with the concession of late goals proving hugely costly. Surrendering a three-goal half-time lead during a 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth epitomised their struggles.
Injuries have also started to ramp up for Rob Edwards, who doesn’t boast the deepest of squads at the best of times. Sitting in the relegation zone at present, their fitness woes have come at the worst possible moment.
They may have won the hearts of plenty of neutrals, but it may not be enough to stay up.
Burnley offered the promise of attacking and expansive football upon their return to the Premier League, but their good intentions haven’t been rewarded by the ruthlessness of the top flight.
They have conceded the second most goals in the Premier League this season and sit second from bottom as a result, with the club lacking serious quality in pretty much every area of the pitch.
The next few weeks will be key for the Clarets given they face Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle United in three of their final four matches, but it looks as if it’s already too late for Vincent Kompany’s side.
It’s been a miserable return to the Premier League for Sheffield United, who have conceded far more goals than any other team in the division. An 8-0 defeat to Newcastle and a 6-0 loss against Arsenal have been particular low points.
They have managed just 15 points from their 29 matches and secured only three wins all season, with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Man Utd still to come.
The Blades’ fate has almost certainly be sealed already, with Chris Wilder deserving a knighthood if he can save them from relegation at this stage.
