The current bottom three are beginning to separate themselves out from the pack above them. Fulham and Cardiff are probably already gone, and Sunderland, although they actually have a theoretical chance of catching us still, in reality are being let down by Poyet's complete lack of tactical nous. Out of those above them only WBA are in any danger of swapping places with them I'd say.
Norwich: WBA (h), Fulham (a), Liverpool (h), Man Utd (a), Chelsea (a), Arsenal (h) All about their next two games. One win should do it. A win and a draw just to be safe. But pick up just one point, or worse,..... Palace: Cardiff (a), Villa (h), Everton (a), West Ham (a), Man City (h), Liverpool (h), Fulham (a) Will have to find an away point or two (minimum) from that lot. Three points at home to Villa, taking them onto 34, may not sufficient. WBA: Norwich (a), Spurs (h), Man City (a), West Ham (h), Arsenal (a), Sunderland (a), Stoke (h) Massive game this weekend, followed potentially by two massive games to end the season. Can see them just stumbling over the line, if they avoid defeat on Saturday. Cardiff: Palace (h), Saints (a), Stoke (h), Sunderland (a), Newcastle (a), Chelsea (h) If anyone is getting out of the bottom three, it's Cardiff. But they surely have to win both of their next two home games. They certainly cannot afford to lose to Palace. I can't see them doing it, but you never know. Sunderland: Spurs (a), Everton (h), Man City (a), Chelsea (a), Cardiff (h), Man Utd (a), WBA (h), Swansea (h) Games in hand? Who cares with that fixture list. Will 34 be enough (ie three wins)? Probably not. Even less so if the big boys do some goal difference damage to them. So they need to pick up an unexpected result from somewhere. I give them almost no chance of staying up. Fulham: Villa (a), Norwich (h), Spurs (a), Hull (h), Stoke (a), Palace (h) They have the fixtures to pull of the great escape, no doubt. But do they have the ability? Even with their horror GD, if they were to win five of those six (so excluding Spurs, most likely) then they surely survive. Four wins makes it touch and go. Three wins gives them almost no chance. Could yet be a relegation decider on the final day.
Our lot think thay have gone already but the bookies still have us at 3/1.I suppose the thinking is that Fulham are effectively six points behind with their -41 GD.Next week is a must win for them,whereas a draw for us keeps them needing to gain six points in four games.
Palace and WBA join Villa and Swansea in needing just one more win. Cardiff are almost gone, after one dreadful defeat. Realistically, we can put the final nail in their coffin on Saturday. That potential great escape of Fulham? Well they've loosened the escape hatch. They can blow the thing off its hinges by beating Norwich at The Cottage on Saturday. Amazingly enough, if Fulham do that, they might be able to then survive without winning another game (so much for me suggesting that they might need to win four games, before yesterday). Given Norwich's last four games, Sunderland's next four games, and the ineptitude of Cardiff, Fulham could survive by getting three draws to follow up a win at home to Norwich. On the other hand, if Norwich beat Fulham, then that probably relegates Fulham, Cardiff and Sunderland all in one go.
Cardiff, Fulham and WBA, sticking with these 3. Think my original prediction was Hull, Palace and Stoke!
Norwich's sacking of Chris Hughton smacks of desperation and can't possibly help them at this stage of the season. Before this weekend I thought Fulham were doomed and Norwich would probably be alright. I might have to rethink both prepositions if Fulham beat Norwich on Saturday.
Daft sacking Hughton now.Yes,Saturday is still massive.Otherwise we have to take points from top clubs.It could happen but unlikely.Arsenal on the last day is the best bet to get anything.
