Life may have been breathed into a Leeds United season heading one way under Javi Gracia, but Sam Allardyce’s greatest enemy may be the beach across the next 11 days. Two points from the last 21 available neatly sum up why a Championship future is out of United’s hands right now, but they at least have the pulse needed to keep their rivals on their toes.
The merits of what could have been against Newcastle United can be discussed until Cody Drameh comes home, but, pre-match, one point looked a highly appetising prospect in a clash with the league’s third-best team. It’s a draw which may prove all the difference come 6.30pm on May 28.
The full weight of the blow Fulham inflicted upon Leicester City is still being felt now. After the failures to take anything from Bournemouth, Leeds and Everton, the Craven Cottage trip was what looked like the last chance for the Foxes before the final day.
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Liverpool have, as expected, mowed down Leicester before Dean Smith takes the strugglers to the might of St James’ Park next Monday. We will learn more about West Ham United’s frame of mind on Sunday before they travel to King Power Stadium for the final day.
Leicester are on 30 points right now and two from safety. Losing to the Magpies before beating the Hammers would be enough to get them out of the drop zone, but look at Everton’s fixtures and tell me they’re not getting the two points they need to send Leicester down.
Sean Dyche’s side only have one win in nine league games, but their four draws in that time, perceived by some as missed opportunities, are what could keep them up. They’ve got the Manchester City gauntlet out the way and they’re now about to get sandy feet against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth.
Wolves have been monstrous at home in recent weeks and that could be the one crumb of comfort Everton’s rivals cling to. Molineux has seen four home wins on the bounce since Leeds went there and won, but when are there chinks in a team which no longer has much to play for going to show?
The Cherries have also put together a superb set of results to steer themselves to safety, but do you fancy them, a side long backed for relegation, in the Goodison Park bear pit as the season ends? Perhaps they will play even better with zero pressure on their shoulders and the weight of the world on Everton’s.
Nottingham Forest, the best placed of those in peril, need one win to virtually guarantee safety unless Everton and Leeds turn in perfection over their final two rounds. The one rub for Forest was the identity of their penultimate opponent.
Steve Cooper’s side may have their points on the board, but this weekend’s Saturday evening kick-off against Arsenal has been written off for weeks. Then, of course, the title challengers finally saw their tilt end last weekend.
How will Mikel Arteta rally his troops at the City Ground, where the hosts beat or held Liverpool, Chelsea, City and Brighton & Hove Albion this term? In what is Forest’s final home game of the season, the roof will be lifting off on Saturday night.
Everton, Leeds and Leicester need Arsenal to be at their best to keep Forest on 34 points until the final day. Even then, it’s Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Will the sand get between the Eagles’ talons a week on Sunday? They have been imperious in recent weeks, but can they find the motivation to match a Forest team, dreadful on the road, yet fighting for their lives?
The reasons for belief can be found by Leeds. Wolves, Bournemouth, Arsenal and Palace all seem to have little left to play for, but their results have held up all the way until now.
Allardyce just needs to keep his dogs in the fight and give themselves that chance he said they needed on the final day. Win this weekend and keep your skin in the game.
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