CHRIS SUTTON's bottom of the table worryometer
Everton have the toughest run-in, David Moyes is under pressure at West Ham and Southampton are still trying to bounce back from Nathan Jones’ ill-fated reign: CHRIS SUTTON’s bottom of the table worryometer
- The Premier League looks set to have its tightest relegation battle ever this term
- Just four points separate bottom nine teams in the league in its final straight
- Chris Sutton offers his assessment of each and how concerned they should be
The Premier League looks set for its tightest relegation battle ever this season with just four points separating Southampton in 20th and Crystal Palace in 12th.
Never before has the league seen its bottom nine clubs so bunched at such a crucial juncture in the season, with supporters and pundits alike wholly uncertain of which teams will survive and which will be playing in the Championship next term.
With vital ‘six-pointer’ clashes to come between the sides as the season enters its final straight, the question of relegation looks set to go down to the final day.
It has been said of lots of the teams down there that they are too good to go down, but three must go.
Sportsmail’s CHRIS SUTTON offers his assessment of each side’s survival hopes with his worryometer ahead of a dramatic final few months.
Southampton find themselves at the bottom of the Premier League table despite recent rally
West Ham – off the back of one of their best seasons in modern times – are in serious danger
12th: Crystal Palace – 27 points
Roy Hodgson’s appetite to want to work at the age of 75 is admirable. Roy was my manager at Blackburn in 1997-98 when I won the Golden Boot. Palace need a goalscorer themselves (I’m not sure if you can afford me, Roy, but you’ve got my number). Their lack of goals contributed to Patrick Vieira’s sacking, which was harsh given their fixture list before the international break.
Palace now face a string of teams below them and I expect they will survive, as they would have under Vieira.
Roy Hodgson has returned to Crystal Palace at the age of 75 after the sacking of Patrick Vieira
Crystal Palace are in 12th and look likely to survive – though could be dragged into serious trouble
13th: Wolverhampton Wanderers – 27 points
Wolves benefited from that new-boss bounce under Julen Lopetegui, with a change in performance level when he arrived in November. He is a fiery character who demands his players give everything. If only referees gave his team everything, then they wouldn’t face the fury of the manager so often!
Lopetegui says he could write a book on the decisions that have gone against his team. Scoring has been a big problem and losing 4-2 at home to Leeds was bad. Still, I expect Wolves will have enough to survive.
Julen Lopetegui appeared to have steadied the ship – but then Leeds arrived and extinguished some of that good feeling
14th: Leeds United – 26 points
Jesse Marsch brought stability towards the end of last season. From March to May, Leeds secured four wins under the American, including a last-day defeat of Brentford which saw them survive at Burnley’s expense.
Javi Gracia needs that, too. Arsenal are next, but then come games at Elland Road against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Liverpool which will tell us more about where they stand in this relegation race. That superb 4-2 win at Wolves before the international break was a game-changer. Leeds have talented young players, from Wilfried Gnonto to Brenden Aaronson, and it promises to be a hell of a fight.
Javi Gracia has seen an uptick in results for Leeds but they face a hell of a fight to remain
Leeds United’s 4-2 victory at Wolves before the international break was a big result for them
15th: Everton – 26 points
Of all the teams down there, Everton have the toughest run-in, starting with a Tottenham team who have a point to prove after Antonio Conte’s sacking. I would be surprised if their race doesn’t go down to the last day at home to Bournemouth. There has been a boost under Sean Dyche.
He has improved their intensity and they are unbeaten in three, drawing with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest and beating Brentford. But Dyche will not be getting ahead of himself. I bet his worryometer reading is higher than mine!
Sean Dyche has done what everyone expected – make them tougher to beat though they remain in a position of peril
16th: Nottingham Forest – 26 points
In a Premier League home table Forest are 12th, very respectable for a newly promoted club. In an away table, however, they are bottom and that is where their problems lie. Steve Cooper’s side have scored only four goals away all season.
With six of Forest’s 11 fixtures being away from home, I’d be worried if I was a fan. You can be confident in your fortress, but if your team are not going to match that intensity when away, you’re in bother.
The likes of Brennan Johnson (pictured) have been impressive – but Forest have a tough run
Nottingham Forest were a side that looked to have hauled themselves from danger but are right back in amongst it after a string of dire results
17th: Leicester City – 25 points
On paper, Leicester have too many talented players to go down, from Harvey Barnes to James Maddison. The question is, do they have the stomach for it? Talents such as Maddison are expected to leave in the summer, but while they are there they need to dig deep and do the dirty work.
Leicester have not kept a clean sheet since November. Of their last 11 games, they face six direct rivals. The good news, Foxes fans, is that I’m more worried about the rest!
Brendan Rodgers has spent much of the season seemingly on the precipice of losing his job
Leicester have lost four of their last five games and the pressure is being ramped up by the day
18th: West Ham United – 24 points
David Moyes is probably sick of hearing how close he is to the sack. One loss can be the end of you and West Ham’s next game against Southampton is as big as they come. Moyes knows the pressure he is under.
Third bottom in the Premier League, West Ham are another team who cannot buy a win away from home. They have been relying on the London Stadium, but the atmosphere could turn ugly if they lose to Southampton. Still, I expect West Ham to survive.
David Moyes’ side were another who seemed destined to pull themselves away – but they have failed to do so
19th: Bournemouth – 24 points
The worst defence in the Premier League, having conceded 54 goals. I like the look of Dango Ouattara, the January signing who can get them up the pitch. He gives them a different dimension.
Of Bournemouth’s last 11 games they face six relegation rivals, four of them on the road. They need to pick up wins from those six-pointers to survive, which is a big ask. I’ve written off Bournemouth before, then they beat Liverpool 1-0! But I’m worried.
Bournemouth’s worryometer offers a full reading with Chris Sutton fearing for the Cherries
20th: Southampton – 23 points
Saints were right to get rid of Nathan Jones. He was only in charge for three months – and that included the World Cup – but they are still trying to bounce back from the damage.
Ruben Selles has taken over and picked up a few nice results, including a 1-0 win at Chelsea. They need bravery and to take risks if they are to survive. Ultimately, I think they have too much to do and that’s why my worryometer is off the charts.
James Ward-Prowse and Co have rallied somewhat since the sacking of Nathan Jones but still look destined for the drop
Chris Sutton has his worryometer for the Saints reading off the charts ahead of the run-in
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