As it's yuletide a young (well early codgerhood) man's thoughts turn to relegation.It's traditional ever since Good King Stephen,whoever he might be,went in search of firewood,(a most un-kingly like thing to do it has to be said) for us to speculate on who will take the drop.Fortunately there isn't a green and yellow hat in the ring to the despair of Lawro,but here are my thoughts.You may wish to add your own.
Current 20th:Reading
With Arsenal and Man City as their next two games you wont get very good odds on Reading not being bottom.In fact the best the bookies can offer for the drop is 2/9 on.Hard to see the bottom club at Xmas hoodoo being bucked here - CT prediction for May 20th 28points
Current 19th:QPR
'arry's arrival has breathed new life into the hoops,but a caveat here.Whilst six points from four provides a scenario for survival if maintained it is worth looking at where those points came from. Sunderland and Wigan away,both fellow relegation strugglers,Villa and Fulham at home.If 'arry is to maintain survival form he will need to repeat the feat against Newcastle,West Brom,Liverpool and Chelsea,a different and greater achievement.They need to manage 7:7:7 from their remaing games to reach thirty eight points.Bookies say 8/11 on for the drop - CT prediction 18th on 36 points.
Current 18th:Wigan
Young Bobby Brown Shoes has built a reputation as a survivor and turned down Liverpool to try it one more time.Of the bottom clubs from 18th upwards it's hard to see one with a worse squad,badly missing Moses and Rodellaga.Tough festive season Arsenal,Everton,Villa and United.The bookies offer 13/8 against the drop - CT prediction 19th 35 points.
Current 17th:Southampton
Saints have picked up of late and suffered from a run of early tough fixtures that left them in my view in a rather false position,now also a game in hand.No trouble scoring but conceded too easily.
next four Sunderland,Fulham,Stoke and Arsenal.Odds for the drop are just against at 11/10 - CT prediction 16th 38 points
Current 16th:Sunderland
Sunderland seem capable of coming up with the odd decent win that should be enough to see them safe.O'Neill is a capable manager and their odds of 10/3 against show that the bookies at least have faith if the Mackems don't.Next four Saints,Ci£y,Spurs and Liverpool. -CT prediction 15th 40 points.
Current 15th:Newcastle
In my opinion not serious contenders in this.The Magpies will hit a patch of form and be away sometime soon.Odds of 10/1 against relegation.Next four QPR,United,Arsenal,Everton.- CT prediction 12th 48points.
Current 14th:Villa
Seem to have turned the corner under Lambert,terrific win at Anfield has lifted them up the table.Still only 4/1 for the drop but looking a better,more cohesive side now.Next four Chelsea,Spurs,Wigan,Swansea. -CT prediction 14th 42 points.
Current 13th:Fulham
Slipping down the table quickly and infamously lost to QPR! Listed at 20/1 against the drop which is,in my view generous.Next four Liverpool,Saints,Swans and Baggies which I think may yield sparse returns. - CT prediction 17th 37 points.
Above 13th,who knows? One team may hit a bad run but I expect the bottom three to come from the eigt sides above.
Current 20th:Reading
With Arsenal and Man City as their next two games you wont get very good odds on Reading not being bottom.In fact the best the bookies can offer for the drop is 2/9 on.Hard to see the bottom club at Xmas hoodoo being bucked here - CT prediction for May 20th 28points
Current 19th:QPR
'arry's arrival has breathed new life into the hoops,but a caveat here.Whilst six points from four provides a scenario for survival if maintained it is worth looking at where those points came from. Sunderland and Wigan away,both fellow relegation strugglers,Villa and Fulham at home.If 'arry is to maintain survival form he will need to repeat the feat against Newcastle,West Brom,Liverpool and Chelsea,a different and greater achievement.They need to manage 7:7:7 from their remaing games to reach thirty eight points.Bookies say 8/11 on for the drop - CT prediction 18th on 36 points.
Current 18th:Wigan
Young Bobby Brown Shoes has built a reputation as a survivor and turned down Liverpool to try it one more time.Of the bottom clubs from 18th upwards it's hard to see one with a worse squad,badly missing Moses and Rodellaga.Tough festive season Arsenal,Everton,Villa and United.The bookies offer 13/8 against the drop - CT prediction 19th 35 points.
Current 17th:Southampton
Saints have picked up of late and suffered from a run of early tough fixtures that left them in my view in a rather false position,now also a game in hand.No trouble scoring but conceded too easily.
next four Sunderland,Fulham,Stoke and Arsenal.Odds for the drop are just against at 11/10 - CT prediction 16th 38 points
Current 16th:Sunderland
Sunderland seem capable of coming up with the odd decent win that should be enough to see them safe.O'Neill is a capable manager and their odds of 10/3 against show that the bookies at least have faith if the Mackems don't.Next four Saints,Ci£y,Spurs and Liverpool. -CT prediction 15th 40 points.
Current 15th:Newcastle
In my opinion not serious contenders in this.The Magpies will hit a patch of form and be away sometime soon.Odds of 10/1 against relegation.Next four QPR,United,Arsenal,Everton.- CT prediction 12th 48points.
Current 14th:Villa
Seem to have turned the corner under Lambert,terrific win at Anfield has lifted them up the table.Still only 4/1 for the drop but looking a better,more cohesive side now.Next four Chelsea,Spurs,Wigan,Swansea. -CT prediction 14th 42 points.
Current 13th:Fulham
Slipping down the table quickly and infamously lost to QPR! Listed at 20/1 against the drop which is,in my view generous.Next four Liverpool,Saints,Swans and Baggies which I think may yield sparse returns. - CT prediction 17th 37 points.
Above 13th,who knows? One team may hit a bad run but I expect the bottom three to come from the eigt sides above.
