West Ham United will go into their first match of 2023 level on points with the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Following five straight defeats in the Premier League, the Hammers currently sit 17th in the Premier League standings and only out of the bottom three on goal difference.
Going into their meeting with fellow strugglers Leeds United on Wednesday night, West Ham start a run of three games against sides all currently sat in the bottom seven of the table.
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Of the current bottom eight, West Ham have the fourth easiest run of games across their next four matches, with a trip to third place Newcastle United coming after their three games against current strugglers.
Nottingham Forest, who currently sit 18th and only behind West Ham on goal difference, have the easiest run in the next four, with all of their upcoming opponents sitting 13th or lower.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, who sit in 19th and host West Ham later this month, have the toughest run.
Here is a look at the current bottom eight’s next four fixtures and how they compare to the rest of the sides currently fighting to beat the drop.
13th Leicester City (P17, 17pts)
03/01 Fulham (H) - 7th
14/01 Nottingham Forest (A) - 18th
21/01 Brighton and Hove Albion (H) - 9th
04/02 Aston Villa (A) - 12th
Average position of next four opponents : 11.5 (third hardest)
14th Leeds United (P16 16pts)
03/01 West Ham United (H) - 17th
13/01 Aston Villa (A) - 12th
22/01 Brentford (H) - 10th
05/02 Nottingham Forest (A) - 18th
Average position of next four opponents : 14.25 (second easiest)
15th AFC Bournemouth (P17 16pts)
03/01 Manchester United (A) - 4th
14/01 Brentford (A) - 10th
21/01 Nottingham Forest (H) - 18th
04/02 Brighton and Hove Albion (A) - 9th
Average position of next four opponents : 10.25 (second hardest)
16th Everton (P17 15pts)
03/01 Brighton and Hove Albion (H) - 9th
14/01 Southampton (H) - 20th
21/01 West Ham United (A) - 17th
04/02 Arsenal (H) - 1st
Average position of next four opponents : 11.75 (fourth hardest)
17th West Ham United (P17 14pts)
04/01 Leeds United (A) - 14th
14/01 Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) - 19th
21/01 Everton (H) - 16th
04/02 Newcastle United (A) - 3rd
Average position of next four opponents : 13 (fourth easiest)
18th Nottingham Forest (P17 14pts)
04/01 Southampton (A) - 20th
14/01 Leicester City (H) - 13th
21/01 Bournemouth (A) - 15th
05/02 Leeds United (H) - 14th
Average position of next four opponents : 15.5 (easiest)
19th Wolverhampton Wanderers (P17 13pts)
04/01 Aston Villa (A) - 12th
14/01 West Ham (H) - 17th
22/01 Manchester City (A) - 2nd
04/02 Liverpool (H) - 6th
Average position of next four opponents : 9.25 (hardest)
20th Southampton (P17 12pts)
04/01 Nottingham Forest (H) - 18th
14/01 Everton (A) - 16th
21/01 Aston Villa (H) - 12th
04/02 Brentford (A) - 10th
Average position of next four opponents : 14 (third easiest)
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