Who may be in trouble when the Premier League stops for the World Cup?

Only FIVE POINTS separate 10th and 20th, and there have already been three managerial sackings in the bottom half… with just three games left until players head to Qatar, which clubs could be in trouble when the Premier League pauses for the World Cup?

• There are only five points separating 10th and 20th in the Premier League
• Three of these teams have already sacked their managers this season
• The league is set to pause for the World Cup in less than three weeks
• Sportsmail has taken a look at who could be in trouble when the league pauses 

We are already almost a third of the way through the Premier League season, and the top half of the table is beginning to take shape.

Five of the ‘Big Six’ are where they would expect to be, with Liverpool just a couple of wins away from the top four, despite their disappointing start to the campaign.

Yet at the other end of the league, there have been three managerial sackings at Wolves, Aston Villa and Bournemouth, and there is very little to separate over half the teams in the division.

West Ham jumped up seven places in the table by beating Bournemouth on Monday

That was highlighted by West Ham jumping from 17th to 10th thanks to a 2-0 win against Bournemouth on Monday night.

Only five points split 10th and 20th, meaning a dip in form could see a mid-table side drop into the relegation zone in no time at all.

This season promises to be a truly unique one, with the Premier League due to pause in less than three weeks for the World Cup to take place.

There are now just three games to go before players head to Qatar, and this could be a crucial period in determining whether teams can look forward to the second half of the campaign with optimism or with dread.

Sportsmail has taken a look at the fixtures awaiting the bottom 11 clubs between now and Qatar, and predicted who could be in trouble when the league takes a break. 

West Ham – Current position: 10th 

Fresh off the back of another top-seven finish last term, many would have expected West Ham to kick on again, particularly after they spent big in the summer by bringing in the likes of Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca.

David Moyes’ side made a dismal start to the season, though, losing five of their first seven matches to find themselves in the bottom three.

Since then, they have had something of a resurgence, picking up three wins from their last five to sneak into the top half.

West Ham have started to improve under David Moyes after a difficult start to the campaign

A trip to Manchester United on Sunday is up next for the Hammers, and Moyes has not beaten his former club since he departed Old Trafford in 2014. Getting a result at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ would be a bonus for the side.

However, they then host Crystal Palace and Leicester, two clubs who are below them in the table. The Irons have won each of their last three home matches, and should be confident of earning more points in those games to finish the first part of their season on a high.

Verdict: Should remain in the top half, could push towards the European spots

Brentford – Current position: 11th 

There was always the possibility that Brentford could suffer from ‘second season syndrome’ after their impressive season in the top flight last year.

Thrashing Manchester United in their opening home game quickly put that doubt to bed, though. Their results have been somewhat of a mixed bag since then, with Thomas Frank’s men picking up just two further wins, but they have still taken 14 points from 12 games.

Their 4-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday was alarming, and one that Frank will want to forget about in a hurry.

Thomas Frank saw his team lose 4-0 against Aston Villa on a frustrating Sunday afternoon

Brentford host another Midlands club when they take on managerless Wolves on Saturday. They will surely be targeting three points in that game, given the dreadful form of their opponents.

The following week they travel to Nottingham Forest, who have picked up both of their wins at the City Ground this season, before they go to the Etihad Stadium to play defending champions Manchester City. With Erling Haaland at the top of his game, it may be a case of keeping the score down for the Bees in that one.

Verdict: Two winnable games should see them stay in mid-table

Everton – Current position: 12th 

It has been difficult to figure out Everton this season, as Frank Lampard’s side failed to win any of their opening six league matches, but did draw four of those games.

Back-to-back wins against West Ham and Southampton hinted that progress was being made, but they then lost three on the bounce to Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle, offering almost no threat going forwards in the latter two matches.

Still, they managed to bounce back against Crystal Palace on Saturday, producing arguably their best performance of the season to beat the Eagles 3-0.

Everton picked up a morale-boosting win against Crystal Palace after three straight defeats

They face an in-form Fulham side on Saturday, and a point from that game could be deemed a good result given the way Marco Silva’s team are playing right now.

Settling for a point won’t be good enough when they play Leicester and Bournemouth in their following two games, though. Those are fixtures that the Toffees ought to be winning if they are to avoid being dragged into another relegation battle. 

Verdict: A real chance to pick up a couple of wins, should not drop any lower in the table

Crystal Palace – Current position: 13th

Patrick Vieira impressed in his first season as a Premier League manager in 2021-22, and his side remain an exciting outfit to watch, with Wilfried Zaha continuing to shine.

Their lack of consistency this season has been a worry, though. Palace have shown fighting spirit to seal comeback wins against Aston Villa, Leeds and Wolves, but they have fallen short against most of the big teams, and their 3-0 loss at Everton was comfortably their most disappointing result of the season.

Patrick Vieira will hope his side’s 3-0 defeat against Everton was just a blip for Crystal Palace

They now have the chance to show that was just a blip, and the Eagles ought to enter their next three matches with genuine hope of picking up points from each of them.

The side host Southampton on Saturday, before travelling to West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

If Palace are at their best, they have every chance of getting positive results, but they are yet to win on the road this term.

Verdict: Away form is a concern, but a home win should see them stay above the bottom three 

Bournemouth – Current position: 14th 

When Scott Parker was shown the door after Bournemouth’s 9-0 loss to Liverpool in August, it seemed the writing may already be on the wall for the Cherries this season.

But caretaker boss Gary O’Neil has done a fine job of steadying the ship as Bournemouth went on a six-match unbeaten run when he took over.

The team have lost their last two against Southampton and West Ham, and it appears Bournemouth are likely to stick with O’Neil until the World Cup break before reassessing their options for the permanent manager’s position.

Bournemouth sacked Scott Parker in August and have had an upturn in form since then

Tottenham visit the Vitality Stadium on Saturday after losing their last two league games, and Bournemouth may feel they are catching Spurs at a good time.

The South Coast club then travel to Leeds before hosting Everton. These two matches are huge games, and ones that Bournemouth cannot afford to lose if they are to stay in the top flight.

Verdict: Two massive matches before the World Cup – lose those and they’ll likely be in the bottom three 

Aston Villa – Current position: 15th

Villa wasted little time in finding a replacement for Steven Gerrard after bringing in Unai Emery as his successor on Monday.

The Midlands club have spent big in the last couple of transfer windows, but failed to click under Gerrard, and it was inevitable that he would leave after their 3-0 defeat against Fulham last Thursday.

Caretaker manager Aaron Danks made an immediate impact as he dropped captain John McGinn, and named an attacking line-up which hammered Brentford 4-0 on Sunday.

If Emery was watching that, he should be confident that he can start to move Villa up the table.

Aston Villa decided to part ways with Steven Gerrard after a disappointing start to the season

Villa have already appointed Gerrard’s replacement, bringing in Unai Emery from Villarreal

Danks is set to remain in charge for Villa’s away match at Newcastle on Saturday while Emery waits for his work permit, but the Spaniard should be in the dugout when his side face Manchester United the following weekend, before they take on Brighton on November 13.

Newcastle and United are in good form, but Brighton are not, and the ‘new manager bounce’ could give Villa an instant lift.

Verdict: Difficult next two games, but ought to be targeting the Brighton game. Expect them to be clear of the relegation zone 

Southampton – Current position: 16th

An opening day 4-1 defeat against Tottenham suggested this could be a long season for Southampton, and that still looks to be the case over two months later.

There have been some positive moments, with the team beating Chelsea and drawing with leaders Arsenal, but defeats to Wolves, Aston Villa and Everton have left Ralph Hasenhuttl under increasing pressure.

The fans have not been shy in voicing their displeasure with the manager, and if the next three fixtures don’t go well for the Saints, the board could have a big decision to make on his future.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is under pressure after an inconsistent start to the season for Southampton

Southampton face trips to Crystal Palace and Liverpool, either side of a home match against Newcastle. 

The Palace game looks particularly important, as based on current form, it is hard to see Southampton gaining any points from the latter two games.

Verdict: Three tough matches await, and it would not be a surprise at all to see Southampton drop into the bottom three 

Leicester – Current position: 17th 

Predicting how Leicester will fare is an almost impossible task – but we’ll give it a try anyway.

Brendan Rodgers’ side started the season abysmally after a difficult summer, and when they suffered consecutive heavy defeats against Brighton and Tottenham, it seemed the Northern Irishman’s days at the club were numbered.

Yet the Foxes have finally found some momentum, and have kept four clean sheets in their last five matches to climb out of the relegation zone. Their 4-0 win against Wolves on Sunday showed what they can do when at their ruthless best.

Brendan Rodgers has been under significant pressure at Leicester but remains in charge

Up next, Leicester welcome Manchester City to the King Power Stadium. That promises to be one of the toughest games of their season, and it won’t get much easier when they travel to Everton and West Ham after that.

Perhaps the Everton match is the one they are most likely to win, but if that goes against them, Rodgers could find himself back in the spotlight once more.

Verdict: Leicester are improving, but these are three difficult games. Could easily slip back into the bottom three, and ramp up the pressure on Rodgers 

Leeds – Current position: 18th

Leeds underwent a transitional period over the summer, with Jesse Marsch having his first transfer window at the club, while on the playing side, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha moved on to pastures new.

When the team picked up seven points from their first three matches, which included comprehensively beating Chelsea at Elland Road, it looked like Marsch was coming out of Marcelo Bielsa’s shadow.

Jesse Marsch has seen his side take just two points from their last eight league matches

Things have quickly gone downhill since then, though, with the side picking up just two points from a possible 24. Marsch still believes he can turn the club’s fortunes around, but the last two defeats against Leicester and Fulham have seen the fans start to voice their disapproval at his decision-making on the touchline.

It does not get any easier either, as Leeds face trips to Liverpool and Tottenham, either side of a home clash with Bournemouth.

The Bournemouth match could be a make-or-break one for Marsch. Lose that and he could be out of a job.

Verdict: Two of their next three matches against teams from the ‘Big Six’. Likely to remain in the relegation zone and could be looking for a new manager soon

Wolves – Current position: 19th

Without a manager, and with only one win in their last six, Wolves have major issues at the moment.

The team competed for a European spot last season, but their lack of goals ultimately cost them, and it has been an even bigger issue this time around as they have scored just five times in 12 games.

At least they possessed one of the best defences in the division in 2021-22, which is no longer the case, having shipped 18 goals so far this term.

Wolves sacked Bruno Lage earlier this month but results have not improved at all

Bruno Lage was sacked earlier this month, but the club did not seem to have a clear idea of who they wanted to replace him with, and are now set to wait until after the World Cup to appoint his successor.

Meanwhile, the results on the pitch have not got any better, and they play Brentford, Brighton and Arsenal before the Premier League pauses.

In normal circumstances, Wolves may fancy their chances in the former two matches, but with no manager in place and the team devoid of confidence, it is going to be very hard for the side to pick up any points.

Verdict: The team are struggling badly and could even be bottom of the table soon. They desperately need the break more than any other side to start afresh

Nottingham Forest – Current position: 20th

Forest changed almost their entire squad over the summer, and have subsequently looked like a bunch of strangers playing together at times this season.

The club have stood by Steve Cooper, though, and their faith in him has started to pay off. 

The newly-promoted outfit have taken five points from their last four matches, and pulled off a major shock by beating Liverpool 1-0 on Saturday.

Nottingham Forest stunned Liverpool on Saturday, but are currently bottom of the table

They play leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and will have the odds against them in that one. Their two home games after that against Brentford and Crystal Palace offer their best chance of getting more points on the board heading into the World Cup.

If Forest are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship, they need to be picking up victories at the City Ground.

Verdict: Their upcoming home fixtures give them the opportunity to leapfrog Wolves and Leeds, but moving out of the bottom three could be a step too far 

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