With it looking unlikely to need to hit the "magic 40 points" mark this year it's a clear battle between the bottom 7 clubs as to who is going but what is not yet clear is which 3 of the 7 are on the way out of the EPL.
Are some teams "to big to go down" ala Everton and Newcastle?
Who form is desperately lacking? Might surprise you Brentford and Leeds at present, with each picking up only one point in the last five games, worse than anyone else in the bottom 7.
Could games in hand be a huge bonus for Burnley and Everton to drag themselves out of it or will fixture congestion cause an issue?
Bar ourselves I'd be worried if I was a fan of any of the teams below us:
Brentford - I'd worry about as everyone below them has games in hand and they could find themselves 18'th without being able to do a thing about it by the time the fixtures even out over the next few weeks so there's a big problem for them there.
Leeds - Personally I think Leeds are in a world of trouble with the rate they are conceding and with Bamford out I can't see Dan James scoring the goals they need, although in fairness they may get the new manager bounce and push clear but they need to get focused on the defensive side of the game and sharp.
Everton - Do they have the right man in charge? Is Lampard the man to see them safe? I'm not sure he's a relegation fighter personally. With a load of loan players do they have the drive to want to fight it out with El Ghazi, DvdB and Alli all on loan, are they arsed? Yerry Mina, DCL, Godfrey out for the next 2-4 weeks and Davies out for the season as well... with one win in their last 9 (against Leeds) morale will be down.
Burnley have hit a run of form and are picking up points recently, seasoned relegation battlers who know the fight they are in, honestly think they will stay up, especially with Weghost up top, he will get them a few precious goals and they are solid at the back.
Watford - They are only 4 and 5 points off Leeds and Brentford respectively with a game in hand on Brentford - Roy Hodgson coming in could be a masterstroke but not sure they have enough quality in the tank to pull clear, could make it out if the others fall apart, not much in it and they are still to play Everton, Leeds, Brentford and Burnley so not impossible.
Norwich - Going, going...Gone? For me I think so. Perennial Yo-yo team who rely on Pukki to get the goals despite not doing it the last 2 times they came up... Can't see them picking up around 20 points in the their last 12 games. Would be one of the greatest escapes if they were to get out of the mire.
So go on then, money where your mouth is, re-mortgaged the home who's your money on?
You must log in or register to see images
Are some teams "to big to go down" ala Everton and Newcastle?
Who form is desperately lacking? Might surprise you Brentford and Leeds at present, with each picking up only one point in the last five games, worse than anyone else in the bottom 7.
Could games in hand be a huge bonus for Burnley and Everton to drag themselves out of it or will fixture congestion cause an issue?
Bar ourselves I'd be worried if I was a fan of any of the teams below us:
Brentford - I'd worry about as everyone below them has games in hand and they could find themselves 18'th without being able to do a thing about it by the time the fixtures even out over the next few weeks so there's a big problem for them there.
Leeds - Personally I think Leeds are in a world of trouble with the rate they are conceding and with Bamford out I can't see Dan James scoring the goals they need, although in fairness they may get the new manager bounce and push clear but they need to get focused on the defensive side of the game and sharp.
Everton - Do they have the right man in charge? Is Lampard the man to see them safe? I'm not sure he's a relegation fighter personally. With a load of loan players do they have the drive to want to fight it out with El Ghazi, DvdB and Alli all on loan, are they arsed? Yerry Mina, DCL, Godfrey out for the next 2-4 weeks and Davies out for the season as well... with one win in their last 9 (against Leeds) morale will be down.
Burnley have hit a run of form and are picking up points recently, seasoned relegation battlers who know the fight they are in, honestly think they will stay up, especially with Weghost up top, he will get them a few precious goals and they are solid at the back.
Watford - They are only 4 and 5 points off Leeds and Brentford respectively with a game in hand on Brentford - Roy Hodgson coming in could be a masterstroke but not sure they have enough quality in the tank to pull clear, could make it out if the others fall apart, not much in it and they are still to play Everton, Leeds, Brentford and Burnley so not impossible.
Norwich - Going, going...Gone? For me I think so. Perennial Yo-yo team who rely on Pukki to get the goals despite not doing it the last 2 times they came up... Can't see them picking up around 20 points in the their last 12 games. Would be one of the greatest escapes if they were to get out of the mire.
So go on then, money where your mouth is, re-mortgaged the home who's your money on?
