So, it's two from three. Interesting in that it could be a very low points total required for safety this year - it's all about finishing ahead of the other two teams, regardless of points total. So who does it favour? As a starter: POSITIVES Newcastle have the extra game. Sunderland have a proven scorer in Defoe. Norwich have the least expectation so under less pressure. NEGATIVES Newcastle in fighting and manager a dead man walking. Sunderland playing well but not winning. Norwich shocking form. Other thoughts?
Sunderland are the biggest threat, I feel that they will relegate us unfortunately. The bottom 4 will look like this in my opinion: Sunderland. Newcastle. Norwich. Aston Villa.
Here are the remaining home and aways for the bottom 4 teams in the Relegation Battle (next match in italics): Sunderland: (25) Home: Everton(P-P), West Brom, Leicester, Arsenal, Chelsea Away: Newcastle, Norwich, Stoke, Watford Norwich: (24) Home: Man City, Newcastle, Sunderland, Watford, Man Utd Away: West Brom, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Everton Newcastle: (24) Home: Sunderland, Swansea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham (Man City in hand) Away: Leicester, Norwich, Southampton, Liverpool, Aston Villa Aston Villa: (16) Home: Tottenham, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Southampton, Newcastle Away: Swansea, Man Utd, Watford, Arsenal Sunderland seem to have some momentum, but we at least have both them and Newcastle at home. Hard to call, certainly.
Sunderland slightly tougher fixtures maybe, but then when you haven't won in 10 games every game looks pretty daunting!
Sunderland have a horrific home run in with probably only WBA where they can realistically expect to get anything.
Looking at this run for us gives me a little hope - could we take 8 points from our home fixtures? Newcastle (W), Sunderland (W), Watford (D), Man Utd (D)? I'd be very surprised if we didn't sneak one win away from home in the run in, and I'm looking at either Everton or West Brom for that, but I am as ever being optimistically mad until the maths tell me otherwise. I think the Palace Game is enormous - they will either be in the mire by then or sunning them selves down Costa del Croydon...might help us if they are on the sunbeds by then.
