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Danny Bloomer

Gary Neville picks out the two sides most in danger as he makes Newcastle United survival claim

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Leeds United and Brentford are the teams most at risk of being dragged into the relegation places.

The two sides are both currently enduring poor runs of form and saw their points gap to the bottom three reduce at the weekend.

Burnley and Watford both picked up impressive away wins at the weekend, while Newcastle United continued their good form with a solid 1-1 draw at West Ham.

Prior to the weekend, Neville claimed that he was pretty certain that the sides currently occupying the bottom three would be relegated.

However, due to the experience of Roy Hodgson and Sean Dyche in the dugouts at Watford and the Clarets, he thinks they both now have the capability to claw Leeds and Brentford back into danger.

He told Sky Sports: "I was at Newcastle last week and came to the conclusion during the game that I wasn't watching a team that was going to get relegated.

"There were massive improvements in all ways, just the way they pushed up the pitch, the way they were playing, the confidence, the atmosphere in the stadium, it was different.

"I watched the game yesterday against West Ham and thought they were really resilient and Willock scored a good goal, it was clever.

"I went into the afternoon kick-offs and thought we would ultimately see Norwich, Watford and Burnley go down. Watford are a yo-yo team, Norwich don't invest enough and have been poor all season.

"Burnley are the one that I've thought all season that they aren't any worse but the league has just got stronger. The teams in 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th have got stronger that what they were in years gone by.

"But Burnley go and do that and you think Sean Dyche, this could be the greatest escape. If he was to get out of this, it would mean that a Newcastle, Brentford or Leeds would go down.

"I don't think Everton will but they could. Brentford have played extra games and are a worry but I've really enjoyed them this season and I would be sad to lose them.

"Every time I watch Leeds, irrespective of the fact that after a bit you think this is just a bit of a mess watching them, you still want to watch them play and I still want to watch Brentford play. When I go to that stadium and see that atmosphere and the fact they have a go, so I think they would be a loss.

"But I think Leeds and Brentford are in danger of getting dragged in by resilient Roy Hodgson and Sean Dyche, they've been around the block and know how to do it.

"They aren't going to panic, they might lose games badly but they know how to get shock results and go and win two or three games on the bounce. Then all of a sudden it has completely flipped on its head. That's where I see this league at the moment."

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