The relegation of a Spurs team that won the Europa League last season, reached the knockout stage of the Champions League this season and has spent just one season outside the top flight since 1950 would be remembered as one of the biggest shocks in Premier League history. Roberto De Zerbi is now the man tasked with masterminding a breakaway, but Brighton’s last-minute equalizer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night felt like a dagger in the hearts of Spurs fans.
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Leeds have moved away from the relegation zone after back-to-back wins against Manchester United and Wolves, while Nottingham Forest and West Ham have done what Tottenham couldn’t do in recent weeks and picked up precious points. Morgan Gibbs-White’s hat-trick inspired a 4-1 win over Burnley for Forest on Sunday, while the Hammers held to a goalless draw at Crystal Palace the following night, a result that confirmed Wolves’ demotion.
With Wolves down and Burnley doomed, this is how the crucial relegation encounter is shaping up.
Position: 15th | Played: 33 | Points: 39 | DG: -7
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Remaining schedule:
Where to collect points? The games have been pretty good for Leeds and after their pivotal victory over Manchester United (a first league win at Old Trafford since 1981) and a 3-0 home win over Wolves, they now look likely to secure the Premier League next season. Leeds only need one more point to reach the 40-point mark and will be keeping an eye on the home game against Burnley to get over the line. Away games against relegation rivals Tottenham and West Ham also look like excellent opportunities to get results on the board.
Complicated contests? They have passed their toughest test on paper with flying colors by beating United, which was their last game against a team currently above 10th in the standings. However, a trip to Bournemouth in April and hosting European football-chasing Brighton in their penultimate game will not be easy. Will an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea this weekend be a welcome distraction or an obstacle?
Final stretch? Leeds look safe but they will be desperate to have him secured when they travel to West Ham on the final day, but if not it could be a high-octane shootout for survival. The games against Brighton and Spurs immediately before are too hostile in terms of finals.
Nottingham Forest
Position: 16th | Played: 33 | Points: 36 | DG: -9
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Remaining schedule:
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May 17 – Manchester United (A)
Where to collect points? Forest had to make the most of a home game against doomed Burnley and, inspired by a Gibbs-White hat-trick inside 15 minutes, they took advantage of that golden opportunity on Sunday. That might be enough to get you over the line. Otherwise, a home game against a struggling Newcastle side who may have nothing to play for could be their best chance.
Complicated contests? Matches against two of the current top six still await Forest with trips to Manchester United and Chelsea on the agenda. Forest also have to negotiate a Europa League semi-final with Aston Villa, which may prove a distraction.
Final stretch? Not ideal as a trip to Old Trafford on the penultimate day of the season is far from ideal although, as mentioned above, hosting Bournemouth on the final day could offer a chance to pick up the necessary points if things aren’t wrapped up by then. A home game against a struggling Newcastle side as their penultimate game could also be worse. However, things could get complicated if they are still in the Europa League at that point.
(Getty)
West Ham United
Position: 17th | Played: 33 | Points: 33 | God: -17
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Remaining schedule:
Where to collect points? Their impressive form since hugely damaging back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Nottingham Forest earlier in the year has seen West Ham go from doomed to having a genuine chance of survival, even climbing out of the bottom three by beating Wolves 4-0 immediately after the international break. Another hard-fought point at Crystal Palace should probably be seen as one gained rather than two lost going into their final five games of the season, but they now face a series of tough tests. Hosting Leeds at the London Stadium on the final day looks incredibly important and could prove pivotal.
Complicated contests? Everton (H), Brentford (A) and Arsenal (H)’s run from late April to early May doesn’t look very friendly. The games before and after that run look like much better opportunities to pick up the points the Hammers need to make an impressive escape.
Final stretch? If West Ham can overcome that three-match run with a realistic chance of survival, then an away game against Newcastle and a home clash against Leeds to finish the season could be just the ticket to lift them out of the relegation zone. The final day showdown against Daniel Farke’s team might be an all-time classic, but it won’t be a pretty sight if both sides continue to fight for their lives. However, the fact that the whites are coming to the London Stadium at least favors Nuno and company.
West Ham’s form since the start of the year has given them a chance of survival (Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur
Position: 18th | Played: 33 | Points: 31 | God: -11
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Remaining schedule:
Where to collect points? At the moment, Spurs can’t get a win from anywhere… They are winless in 16 league games, with their last Premier League win coming against Crystal Palace in December. Spurs looked set to end that miserable run after On paper, the next away game against Wolves has to end with three points, and a potentially crucial clash with Leeds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with three games left in the campaign is also a golden opportunity. But every encounter is difficult these days.
Complicated contests? Leaving aside the obvious “one and all” joke, given their recent form, away games against Champions League-chasing Aston Villa and Chelsea in May don’t look too fruitful.
Final stretch? Leeds at home in the penultimate game is absolutely huge. If that game goes badly and Spurs head into the final two games in the relegation zone, then a trip to Stamford Bridge and a clash with Everton to finish seems unlikely to provide any help.
Verdict?
This could really go either way and it would take a brave person to predict the outcome with confidence.
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It could still all come down to the final day when West Ham host Leeds, Spurs play Everton and Nottingham Forest host Bournemouth. Leeds generally have the kinder games and although goals have dried up for them recently, they should have enough to survive given the current cushion.
Forest could be negatively affected by their Europa League run and will likely need to secure their survival heading into the final two games, while West Ham boosted their chances with that Wolves win.
Meanwhile, Spurs could be in real trouble if De Zerbi does not turn around the club’s fortunes quickly. He’s not known as the quickest starter at new clubs, and with injuries piling up, we’re starting to fear the worst is likely and not simply possible for Spurs. But things can change within a week.