A Premier League season lasts nine months, but the most exciting bit is the last few weeks of the season. We have now arrived at the business end of the 2021/22 campaign and all eyes are on the title race where Manchester City and Liverpool are fighting hard and leaving no stone unturned for the ultimate crown.
However, while the big boys fight for glory, some teams are fighting a battle of their own. A battle that is perhaps more gruesome, and certainly has more participants – the dreaded relegation battle. Five teams are fighting for survival this time around – Norwich City, Watford, Burnley, Everton, and Leeds United.
While two teams in the likes of Norwich City and Watford have emerged as the favourites to be relegated to the 2022/23 EFL Championship, the other three teams are fighting to avoid the third relegation spot.
Check out the relegation scenario of these five teams.
NORWICH CITY
Norwich City have a knack for roller-coasters as they usually do not stay around in the Premier League for more than a season but then get promoted back up in no time. The same tradition is expected to be carried forward this season as the Canaries are the number one contenders to get demoted to the second flight.
Norwich City have played 32 games and secured only 21 points. They have won the joint-least number of matches with five and are placed at the very bottom of the table.
The only thing that is currently working in their favour is the remaining fixtures list since Dean Smith’s team do not face a top-six opponent until their very last game where they will be up against Tottenham Hotspur.
Remaining fixtures – Newcastle United (H), Aston Villa (A), West Ham United (H), Leicester United (A), Wolverhampton Wanderers (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H)
WATFORD
Watford have tried all they could to stay in the Premier League since they have fired multiple managers and have made a plethora of signings. However, none of that seems to work as they are struggling in the 19th position in the league standings.
The Hornets have picked up 22 points from their 32 matches and they have lost the most number of games by any Premier League side this season at 22. The fixtures are not particularly on the smoother side either as Roy Hodgson’s team is yet to face Manchester United and Chelsea, both of whom are fighting for a place in the top four.
Remaining fixtures – Manchester United (A), Burnley (H), Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H), Leicester City (H), Chelsea (A)
BURNLEY
With the previous two mentions being prime contenders for relegation, this is where the actual battle begins. Currently, Burnley are occupying the dreaded 18th position having secured 28 points from 32 matches.
The Clarets have a mountain to climb and they do not have Sean Dyche to guide them anymore as the British manager was recently sacked by the club.
However, it seems to have acted as a spring in the steps of the players, since Burnley have accumulated four points from their last couple of fixtures. Like Norwich City, they too have only one remaining fixture against a top-six team in Tottenham Hotspur.
Remaining fixtures – Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Watford (A), Aston Villa (H), Tottenham Hotspur (A), Aston Villa (A), Newcastle United (H)
EVERTON
Though we have included Leeds United in our list as they are not mathematically safe yet, the battle to avoid the 18th position is predominantly expected to be between Everton and Burnley. The Toffees are placed one position above the Clarets, having secured one point more with one game in hand.
The mathematical advantage is there for everyone to see, but one factor that is working against Frank Lampard’s team is the fixture list. Three of Everton’s last seven games will be against the top six teams – Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal, and these fixtures could eventually decide their fate.
Remaining fixtures – Liverpool (A), Chelsea (H), Leicester City (A), Watford (A), Brentford (H), Crystal Palace (H), Arsenal (A)
LEEDS UNITED
About a month ago, Leeds United were among the top contenders to get demoted, but the appointment of Jesse Marsch has certainly worked like a charm. The American manager has got a tune out of the players and the Peacocks are currently unbeaten in four league matches.
They are placed in the 16th position in the standings, having amassed 33 points from 32 fixtures. Though they too have three remaining fixtures against the top six teams, getting favourable results from the other three fixtures against Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Brentford should be enough for Marsch’s team to confirm their participation in the top division for at least another season.
Remaining fixtures – Crystal Palace (A), Manchester City (H), Arsenal (A), Chelsea (H), Brighton & Hove Albion (H), Brentford (A)
●●●
VISIT OUR BLOG TO GET YOUR FIX FOR ALL OF THE MOST CURRENT FOOTBALL NEWS STORIES & FEATURES
