So let’s have a look at the bottom half and I’ll let you know who I think will be safe and who has a lot more to worry about as the season winds down.
EVERTON:
Currently in 11th place with 37 points they are more mathematically in danger than having something to realistically worry about as far as relegation is concerned. Most likely a look at the end of the month, after games away to Swansea and home to Burnley and Manchester United, will see Roberto Martinez’s side secured in the Premiership.
On the off chance that is not the case then they still have relegation rivals Villa and Sunderland to play in May.
I honestly think that they might already have enough points right now to be safe but it’s always good to speculate.
Verdict: SAFE.
CRYSTAL PALACE:
In the remaining games Palace have, starting Monday, Palace have to play both Manchester sides at home and travel away to Liverpool and Chelsea. The 36 points they have right now give them a good shout at staying up. The visit to the Stadium of Light next Saturday and the visit of West Brom a week later will determine how comfortable the season will finish for them.
Verdict: SAFE.
NEWCASTLE:
The Geordies are on a bad run of form now and only being nine points clear the fixture list looks daunting. April started off with the Tyne-Wear derby defeat and gets no easier. A trip to Liverpool is followed by visits of Spurs and 8th placed Swansea.
It is tough to find where they will find points in April and May will be the best shot Newcastle have at staying up. Leicester, West Brom and QPR are all opponents before a final game of the season is in front of some maybe frustrated fans against West Ham.
Verdict: IN DANGER.
WEST BROM:
Two points behind Newcastle but I think the Baggies are not in as much trouble as the team above them. Seven points above the relegation zone the next two games are against sides mathematically in danger.
That said, they do need to get the points in the bag in April because four of the final five games are against the current top five, with the last two being home to Chelsea and then away to Arsenal on the final day.
Verdict: SAFE.
SUNDERLAND:
It was a great win against Newcastle with a great Jermain Defoe strike putting the Black Cats up to 29 points for the season. Their survival though will be dependent on how they move on from here.
Certainly it would be premature to say the side are safe, especially when you consider their last two games of the season are away from home to Arsenal and then Chelsea. I think they will be safe by this time but it really does depend on them getting wins against Palace next week and Leicester. Maximum points there will hopefully see them safe before those two big games in London.
Verdict: IN DANGER.
HULL:
I really am starting to worry about Hull City Tigers for two reasons. Firstly they are only two points ahead of the relegation zone which is bad enough but also, and more importantly, their fixture list is daunting.
Southampton, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United make up five of their remaining seven fixtures. How many points will Steve Bruce’s side get from those games? That makes the Palace game at the end of April and Burnley at the beginning of May as vital. It may be more of being the best of the worst that saves them, that is to say how many points realistically will those below them get?
Verdict: RELEGATION.
ASTON VILLA:
QPR on Tuesday is the big game this month. A win there should help them enjoy the FA Cup Semi Final later on in the month. Tim Sherwood might have enough passion to keep the whole side up just by himself but away to Spurs and City and an Semi Final will not do too much to help them secure safety.
The saving grace for Villa is that their last game of the season is home to relegation rivals Burnley. Despite the doom and gloom of this piece I think Villa will have enough to keep them up but it might not be confirmed until that last game.
Verdict: IN DANGER.
BURNLEY:
A great point against Spurs could be vital according to Sean Dyche but I think it might just be a case of too little too late. I can see them possibly getting another four points from now until the end of the season and 30 points will just not be enough.
Verdict: RELEGATION.
QPR:
Surprise shout for getting out of relegation? I think so after the way they dealt with West Brom this weekend. Other than Chelsea, Liverpool and City where I cannot see QPR getting anything you have to fancy them on Tuesday to get a point at Villa and home to West Ham. The confidence I have is with the last two games though home to Newcastle and away to Leicester, both currently six pointers and both certainly winnable for Rangers.
Verdict: IN DANGER.
LEICESTER:
A win at the weekend still leaves the Foxes five points away from safety. Despite having eight games left on the schedule I still think the gap as it is currently will be too much for Leicester.
When taking into account the fact that play five teams around them and that could be more of a hindrance with them also fighting for safety.
Verdict: RELEGATION.
Jason is a Freelance Soccer Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @PACityboy and www.facebook.com/jasonbardwell1979
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