We’ve
reached that stage in the Premier League season where every game for the relegation threatened
sides is crucial. Recent performances by some of these teams, a few have risen to the occasion although they are not safe yet, they are showing the rest of
the footballing world including their supporters why they should stay in this
league next season. A few on the other hand are feeling the pressure of trying
to survive in this league.
Leicester
City have risen to the occasion spectacularly, having been the bottom team in
the league for quite some time, many would have not expected this inspiring
turnaround from the Foxes. Having put up a string of impressive wins only to
lose out to Chelsea, but that shouldn’t hamper the spirits at the Leicester
City camp. The Foxes currently sit at seventeenth place with 31 point a
remarkable turnaround. And with the four remaining fixtures, they have three
home games which is to their advantage to make the most out of with teams such
as Newcastle United, Southampton and QPR and the one away game to Sunderland. The
Foxes have showed that they do not back down easily and with the remaining
fixtures against struggling sides except Southampton we could see the foxes
remain for another season in the Premier League.
Hull
City, The Tigers even though they were putting up abysmal performances they
still were just flirting at the drop zone having done better at the start of
the season with some good performances. But apart from the last two games their
performances before have been poor and sooner rather than later the Tigers were
dragged into the drop zone. That was the kick in the behind Hull City needed to
put up impressive displays in their last two games away to Crystal Palace and
at home to Liverpool they have jumped back to fifteenth place with 34 points.
And with the remaining four fixtures against Arsenal, Burnley, Spurs and
Manchester United it going to be nail biting for Steve Bruce and his side,
because in their remaining four matches they face three opponents who are in
the top half and the other against Burnley which will also be a tough game as
the Clarets are also fighting for survival. But with three home games the
Tigers have to make the most of home advantage and come away with something if
they want to survive.
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Aston
Villa, The Villans must surely be buzzing on making it to the FA cup finals,
but they still have a lot to do in the Premier League if they want to stay in
it for next season. Tim Sherwood has notched a few key victories against sides
like Tottenham to ensure his side still have a fighting chance. The Villans are currently in sixteenth place
with 32 points and with games against Everton, West Ham, Southampton and
Burnley, Aston Villa still have a fighting chance with three home games to make
the most out of and with Chrisitan Benteke in in sublime form, Tim Sherwood will be
pinning his hopes on the big Belgian to rescue Aston Villa from getting
relegated.
Sunderland,
The Black Cats have been through a lot this term a change in coaches,
supporters venting out their frustrations, but the only positive in the past
few months was their victory over bitter rivals Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear
derby. As a Sunderland supporter you would praying for a miracle to happen
considering the run of games their side is about to encounter. They currently
sit in eighteenth place filling up the bottom three positions with a game in
hand. They face opponents like Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Southampton and
Leicester. If Sunderland were too survive relegation it would be no doubt a
miracle but it’s looking bleak for them.
Queens
Park Rangers, a very erratic season from the Hoops. Shoddy defending in most
matches have cost Chris Ramsey’s side the three points or even a point. And
with four games left they face a few formidable opponents in Manchester City
and Liverpool on their travels. They sit in nineteenth place with 27 points
three points behind eighteenth place Sunderland and with games against
Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Leicester it looks like it going to
be tough for them to survive.
Burnley,
at one point most football fans would have thought that the Clarets would
survive relegation, but the side looks like it has run out of steam having lost
their last three games in a row and slipping into last place in the league. And
with games against West Ham, Hull, Stoke and Aston Villa there is definitely a
fighting chance for the Clarets. They currently have 26 points four behind
eighteenth place Sunderland and five behind seventeenth place Leicester.
Burnley irrespective of what happens to them, they have provided the fans with
some quality football and should be proud of it.
Normally
at this stage in the previous seasons at least one team would have been
confirmed relegated. This year it is going right down to the wire and these are
the matches that football fans should focus more rather than the top four as it
seems to be pretty much done and dusted.
Who do you think will get relegated this season?
Have your say below.
Joshua Ronald Ivan, follow him on Twitter.
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