There's always one team that slides down the table in the last ten or so games and it could well be West Ham this year. They still have to play ManUre(h), ManCity(a), Chelsea(a), Liverpool(a), and Everton(a). I can't see them getting anything from those games. Their home games against Wigan and Reading will be 'must wins' if they are struggling by then.
The games this weekend that affect the drop zone: Southampton v QPR The weekend's big one at the bottom. Saints have made steady progress away from the foot of the table.On New Year's Day they were clear of the drop on goal difference.Still only three points clear but a win over C£ty boosted their chances of survival,still look fragile in defence but capable of scoring goals.QPR meanwhile go from bad to worse.The gap from 17th place has narrowed from eight points to seven but despite the outlay of millions they look increasingly inept in virtually every department.Realistically this is Rangers last chance to keep in touch.If they fail to win this one it's curtains for 'arry. Prediction 3-0 Everton v Reading Reading are the big gainers since the turn of the year when they sat five points off safety.A few last gasp results have seen them move to a single point off safety.Everton have been inconsistent but at Goodison it's difficult to see further than a home win for The Toffees.Outside bet - Le Fondre to equalise in the fifth minute of four minutes injury time.Moyse would love that! Prediction 2-1 Wigan v Liverpool Pie Eaters on the usual late roll? Partly an illusion.Two months back they were in the mire by goal difference.going into this weekend they are out of it - by goal difference,their improvement the result of Villa's 8-0 thrashing at Chelsea.Can they get anything from The Scousers? Quite possibly. Prediction 1-1 Villa v C£ty Villa in the relegation spots courtesy of multi goal thrashings.Had a single point cushion on Jan 1st now in it on goal difference.Villa are possibly the most difficult side to predict.Paul Lambert's habit of last minute winners at Norwich seems to have reversed as Villa conceded last minute goals on several occasions.If C£ty fail to get the points United are champions. Prediction 1-1 Stoke v West Ham On January 1st The Hammers were eight points clear with a game in hand on 18th place.This morning they are six points above the drop with no game in hand.They probably only need six points to be safe but their fixtures look tough.They need those points on the board before late games against relegation threatened teams. Prediction 1 - 0 Sunderland v Fulham Black Cats with a five point cushion.On Jan 1st it was four,but they did have a game in hand.Indifferent form of late but Fulham are poor travellers. Prediction 2 - 1
Even after losing we're in a stronger position. I can't see Villa getting anything off ManCity, even at home. Brilliant that QPR beat Southampton, keeping them off our backs and QPR now have a lot to play for against the other relegation sides. Looking at the schedules for the last 10 games, it's hard to see any of the bottom 4 getting beyond 33 points. A win against Southampton next week would be very useful.
Based on my points per game maths I did last week, if the points per game is maintained non of them will get above 33/34 (from memory).
Win that and I think we're safe, 35 points alone will probably be enough, and I can't see us going the rest of the season without a couple more points at least.
I think you're right, QPR3. Four points is possible to make up over 10 games. Great result for you and good luck with catching the others!
The other thing to take into account is the remaining number of games.Being eight or ten points adrift with fifteen games left is very different from that position when there are say eight left.A lot will hinge on Villa v Man City tomorrow.I will update the situation after that.OK I know everyone is factoring in a City win but I do wonder if Villa might just snatch a point at home.
City have had some strange lapses this season, although Mancini believes he's the best manager in the PL, I reckon a slip up at Villa could find his position precarious!
To be honest Dave and its difficult for me to accept CT's analysis but I think both Mancini & city have lost the plot of late. Benteke gets an early goal and they could fold. I hope not We're only 4 wins behind you again. It's doable with the WCT we have at our disposal Our run in is favourable with Liverpool away on survival Sunday. You never know
