Filed under: Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Fulham, Newcastle, Stoke City, Sunderland, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan, Wolverhampton, Premier League, Football
The battle for survival in the Premier League is hotting up, with around half of the top-flight teams involved in the fight.So here at UK Fanhouse we will look at the fixtures for each club and their chances of beating the drop.
And, according to our panel of experts, it looks like Wolves could be the surprise package at the end of the season, while West Ham, Wigan and Blackpool have a tough task to stay in the division.
NEWCASTLE
Currently: 10th. Played 32 Points 39.
Remaining Fixtures: Man Utd (h), Blackpool (a), Liverpool (a), Birmingham (h), Chelsea (a), West Brom (h).
Points Haul: 6 from available 18.
For: Survival is in sight for Alan Pardew's men as they are one point away from the 40 mark that usually guarantees staying up. Blackpool is a fine chance for the win they need and if they fail there, then home games against Birmingham and West Brom should see them home.
Against: Their matches are either very winnable or seemingly impossible. Anything against Manchester United, Chelsea and an away game at Liverpool would be considered a bonus, so it heaps the pressure on the other games.
We predict: 12th
WEST BROM
Currently: 11th. Played 33 Points 39.
Remaining Fixtures: Tottenham (a), Aston Villa (h), Wolves (a), Everton (h), Newcastle (a)
Points Haul: 4 from available 15
For: Much of the hard work has already been done, following the appointment of Roy Hodgson as manager. The club have gone from relegation candidates to mid-table since Hodgson's arrival and they are tough to beat.
Against: Tricky run-in for the Baggies, with Hodgson's team either playing sides with plenty to play or facing tough away trips.
We predict: 15th
FULHAM
Currently: 12th. Played 32 Points 38.
Remaining Fixtures: Wolves (a), Bolton (h), Sunderland (a), Liverpool (h), Birmingham (a), Arsenal (h).
Points Haul: 10 from available 18
For: Mark Hughes' team have been in good form since the turn of the year and they are almost safe. Barring any late collapses, they should have more than enough to survive, particularly with Bobby Zamora returning to full fitness and looking in good form.
Against: Their final game of the season is against Arsenal, who may be playing for something still. Even that is a home fixture. Away form has been more of a problem so getting something from their three remaining trips will be tough.
We predict: 10th
STOKE
Currently: 13th. Played 32 Points 38.
Remaining Fixtures: Aston Villa (a), Wolves (h), Blackpool (a), Arsenal (h), Man City (a), Wigan (h).
Points Haul: 8 from available 18
For: There is real momentum at the club after thrashing Bolton and reaching the FA Cup final. The feel-good factor among Tony Pulis' squad means they should escape relegation comfortably and enjoy another season in the top flight.
Against: When a team reaches a major final, there is always the danger of players wanting to avoid injury or taking their eye off the ball when it comes to their league form. Playing Arsenal and Manchester City is not ideal, either.
We predict: 11th
BIRMINGHAM
Currently: 14th. Played 32 Points 38.
Remaining Fixtures: Chelsea (a), Liverpool (a), Wolves (h), Newcastle (a), Fulham (h), Tottenham (a).
Points Haul: 5 from available 18
For: They know they are capable of big performances following their Carling Cup victory this year. Winning silverware was a momentous occasion for the club and there is the incentive of avoiding the embarrassment of playing in the Championship at the same time as Europe.
Against: Tough, tough fixtures for Alex McLeish and his squad. Away trips to Chelsea and Liverpool are hard enough, when they return to their own soil they face a derby against Wolves, who are battling the drop themselves.
We predict: 14th
SUNDERLAND
Currently: 15th. Played 33 Points 38.
Remaining Fixtures: Wigan (h), Fulham (h), Bolton (a), Wolves (h), West Ham (a)
Points Haul: 7 from available 15
For: The Black Cats have a reasonable run-in and the opportunity to turn around their dreadful recent form. Three of their remaining five fixtures being at home is also a boost and there is quality in Steve Bruce's squad, even if they have struggled to show it since Darren Bent left the club.
Against: There appears to be a losing mentality at the club. Not so long ago they were considered European candidates but the term 'freefall' applied to them and Blackpool. It is a case of getting to the end of the season and starting again, if they can.
We predict: 13th
BLACKBURN
Currently: 16th. Played 33 Points 35.
Remaining Fixtures: Man City (h), Bolton (h), West Ham (a), Man Utd (h), Wolves (a).
Points Haul: 3 from available 15
For: There is not too much to cling to for Rovers fans. They showed against Arsenal that they can be a stubborn team and tough to beat. The fightback against Blackpool also showed they have the stomach for a fight.
Against: Ryan Nelsen's injury is a huge blow and he will be missed in defence. Playing Manchester United and City also makes their job that much more difficult, and taking those two fixtures away leaves them just one home game remaining this season.
We predict: 17th (on goal difference)
WIGAN
Currently: 17th. Played 33 Points 34.
Remaining Fixtures: Sunderland (a), Everton (h), Aston Villa (a), West Ham (h), Stoke (a).
Points Haul: 3 from available 15
For: They won in their last game, which was the perfect way for Roberto Martinez's squad to enter their final five games of the campaign. Being out of the bottom three offers a psychological advantage on their rivals.
Against: They may not be playing against any of the top-four clubs but they still have a tough run-in. It could rest on their clash at home to West Ham.
We predict: 19th
BLACKPOOL
Currently: 18th. Played 33 Points 33.
Remaining Fixtures: Newcastle (h), Stoke (h), Tottenham (a), Bolton (h), Man Utd (a).
Points Haul: 4 from available 15
For: An inspirational manager in Ian Holloway. If anyone can squeeze a final few performances from this squad then it is Holloway. Their three remaining home games also look winnable, which offers some hope.
Against: The next win does not look like it is around the corner, given their recent displays. They are in a rut and need something special to drag them out of trouble. They are now in the bottom three, the lowest they have been all season, and that could be mentally damaging for them.
We predict: 20th
WEST HAM
Currently: 19th. Played 33 Points 32.
Remaining Fixtures: Chelsea (a), Man City (a), Blackburn (h), Wigan (a), Sunderland (h).
Points Haul: 6 from available 15
For: They finish their campaign with three winnable fixtures, two of which are on home turf which should work in their favour. Before three consecutive defeats, they were in decent form so there is definitely the ability to win matches, especially if Scott Parker returns to full fitness.
Against: Their next two matches are almost worth writing off - they are against Manchester City and Chelsea, they are both away and the Hammers have a terrible record on the road. If Parker is not playing, their hopes of victory fade significantly.
We predict: 18th (on goal difference)
WOLVES
Currently: 20th. Played 32 Points 32.
Remaining Fixtures: Fulham (h), Stoke (a), Birmingham (a), West Brom (h), Sunderland (a), Blackburn (h).
Points Haul: 7 from available 18
For: On paper, they will be facing opponents they can beat in each of their remaining six games this season. They can also take heart from a recent draw against Tottenham and a victory against Aston Villa.
Against: They are also playing against teams also fighting for survival, so results may not follow the script. Their last two games have resulted in defeats by three-goal margins, which is not a good sign for the rest of the season.
We predict: 16th
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/19/three-for-the-chop-fanhouse-uks-guide-to-the-tightest-ever-rel/
Florent Malouda Francesco Totti Frank Lampard Frank Ribery Frederic Kanoute
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