Brentford's run in is difficult, but realistically they only need another 4-5 points at most. The bottom five are all in appalling form: in the last three matches played by each, they have a combined 1 point. Presumably one or two of them will find form, but unless three do, Brentford's going to be fine. Leeds is in major trouble, though. With the exception of their game against Norwich tomorrow, their schedule features a lot of difficult home matches, so there will be few times that they're favoured to get anything. Burnley has similar issues but they're at least capable of grinding out some draws in matches where they're outplayed.
I would be inclined to think Burnley will have a better chance than Leeds. They have escaped from similar situations in the past. Leeds are new to this and have a rookie manager.
Everton's remaining games: Newcastle (H) West Ham (A) Man United (H) Liverpool (A) Chelsea (H) Leicester (A) Brentford (H) Arsenal (A)
Watford still have Leeds, Everton, Brentford and Burnley/Norwich at home I think. They have a chance now, probably still need to win all of those though
I don't see Everton getting relegated with Lampard in charge... Either Everton won't get relegated, or they'll sack Lampard before they do. Right now, it's way too early to sack him - I think today was only his 6th or 7th PL game in charge of them. But with 12 games still to come, that's half a season in total. It might not happen often, but it's hardly unique for a manager to get sacked less than half a season after being appointed. If Everton are no closer to safety with, say, 5 or 6 games to go (or worse, have sunk into the bottom three by then), I wouldn't be shocked if the board got desperate enough to again go down the "Big Sam route" (not necessarily with Big Sam himself this time, but someone of his ilk if not him). When they went down the Big Sam route first time round, they weren't in the sort of danger of relegation that they are now. That said, my gut feeling is that they will survive, even with Lampard in charge. I still haven't completely bought into the possibility of them not turning their season around and ultimately going down. But I'm now closer than I ever have been - and if they lose their next two vs Newcastle and West Ham, I think I would have to.
