On the back of Burnley’s 2-0 win against Southampton on Thursday evening, Leeds United now sit just five points outside the Premier League relegation zone. That gap could be cut even further before the Whites travel to South London to face Crystal Palace on Monday.
Everton are also trying to avoid being the team occupying the final relegation place above Norwich and Watford and, despite having a game-in-hand, are just a point clear of the drop zone. The battle looks set to go right down to the wire and we have taken a look at each of the three teams vying to avoid dropping into the Championship.
Leeds United
Every time Leeds have been able to put breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone this season, they have been dragged right back into the equation. The bookmakers are still valuing Jesse Marsch’s side as rank outsiders to be one of teams to drop out of the Premier League with a price of 11/2 being offered.
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Although, those odds largely rest on the success of the performance at Selhurst Park on Monday evening. Victory for Leeds would see them take a huge step away from the drop zone but defeat would see the pressure mount considering the three succeeding fixtures.
After Monday night, games against Manchester City (H), Arsenal (A) and Chelsea (H) follow, a trio of matches that could feasibly yield zero points. That being said, a favourable home clash against Brighton and a visit to Brentford, both of whom will be playing for nothing meaningful, closes out the season for Leeds.
Given the level of performance shown in the last few games by the Whites, they will be confident of mixing it with the best in the league but the importance of the Palace game cannot be underplayed.
Everton
Had it not been for Richarlison’s 92nd-minute equaliser against Leicester on Wednesday evening, Everton would have moved into the bottom three following Burnley’s win. They have played one game fewer than their rivals but Toffees supporters have become very worried about the prospect of relegation.
When considering their next few fixtures, it is easy to see why as Liverpool (A), Chelsea (H) and Leicester (A) await in the next couple of weeks. By the time they kick off in Sunday’s Merseyside derby, they could already have dropped into 18th if Burnley can get a result against Wolves at Turf Moor.
An Everton win at Anfield is already an extremely rare occurrence but, when looking at their away record this season, it seems as unlikely as ever this weekend. Frank Lampard’s side have picked up fewer points away from home than any other Premier League side this season with just six points.
That will need to drastically change if they are to avoid dropping into the second tier for the first time since 1951. Their last game of the season, away at Arsenal, could be a cracker given the Gunners’ similar desire to win at the other end of the table where they are fighting for a place in the top four.
Burnley
After looking like this season would be the one where Burnley’s time would run out on their six-year stay in the Premier League, they have breathed hope into their survival chances. A very good point away at West Ham at the weekend backed up by a 2-0 win against Southampton leaves them on the brink of moving out of the bottom three.
Out of the three teams mentioned, the Clarets have the most attractive run-in as they only have one of the ‘Big Six’ sides left to play, Tottenham away. They also still have to play Aston Villa twice who could easily still get dragged into the mix at the bottom if they don’t start picking up some points in their next few games.
Burnley’s managerial situation is still yet to be resolved after they decided to sack Sean Dyche but, after a strong start under his tutelage, they might choose to keep Mike Jackson on as interim manager until the end of the season. What they decide to do with that decision could turn out to be a key factor in whether they are able to escape the relegation zone or not.
