Following consecutive victories, Leeds United have taken a huge couple of steps towards Premier League safety in the last couple of weeks. Jesse Marsch’s side have established a seven-point gap to the bottom three although, each of the sides below have at least one game in hand.
Whilst Whites supporters will be hoping it doesn’t, the top-flight relegation battle could well go right down to the wire with several teams fighting to stay up. Leeds have been able to give themselves a strong chance of being one of the sides who will avoid the drop with six other teams involved in the dogfight at the bottom.
The real business end of the season begins after the upcoming international break and certain fans will be more confident than others about their teams’ chances. Leeds are one of just four Premier League teams to have played 30 games so far this term and will be aware that they have a few winnable games amongst their remaining eight matches.
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The average current table position of their opponents is between ninth and 10th with Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal the toughest of those while Watford, Brighton and Brentford present the opportunity of victories. We have taken a look at the run-in of Leeds’ relegation rivals by calculating the average league position of the teams they still have to play.
Newcastle United
With 31 points on the board, Newcastle have put themselves in a brilliant position to secure safety and a few more points should be enough to ensure they are playing in the Premier League again next season. Eddie Howe will be hoping his side are able to add to their points tally in their next few matches after the international break as a trio of fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal await at the end of March and the start of April.
The average position of their remaining opponents is ninth, highlighting that, while they have established a strong cushion to the relegation zone, they are still far from safe.
Average position of remaining opponents: 9
Brentford
After a strong start to the season, a recent wobble at Brentford has dragged them somewhat into the battle at the bottom. Although, back-to-back wins against Norwich and Burnley helped them away from the drop zone.
Like Leeds, the Bees have eight more games left this season and they still have to face four of the teams fighting for the European qualification places. The average position of their remaining opponents comes in at between 10tj and 11th .
Average position of remaining opponents: 10.375
Everton
Despite being dumped out of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace, a victory for Everton against Newcastle last time out in the league helped them stay above the bottom three. After having several games postponed earlier in the season, they have still got 11 games to play this term and will be confident of picking up the required points to remain in the division.
Like each of their relegation rivals, they face tough tests against some of the Premier League’s strongest sides but games against two of the three sides in the relegation zone are likely to yield points. The average position of their remaining opponents is similar to that of Leeds as it is between ninth and 10th.
Average position of remaining opponents: 9.63
Watford
Watford will be desperate to banish their reputation as a yo-yo club this season and will be hopeful that both Leeds and Everton struggle to accumulate points between now and the end of the campaign. Of the teams around the bottom of the table, they may consider their run-in one of the more favourable ones as five of their last eight games come against bottom-half teams.
Although, Roy Hodgson’s side must also face the two Premier League titans with trips to Manchester City and Liverpool coming up in April. The average table position of their remaining opponents is between 10th and 11th.
Average position of remaining opponents: 10.56
Burnley
Burnley’s extended stay in the top flight is under real threat as they sit four points adrift of safety, however, like Everton, they still have 11 games left this season. Sean Dyche will be desperate to pull off yet another unlikely escape from the grips of relegation between now and the end of the season.
The average position of their remaining opponents is the lowest of any of the team in the battle towards the bottom but the expected fixture congestion in April and May could well be their undoing.
Average position of remaining opponents: 10.81
Norwich City
It once again looks as though Norwich will be unable to avoid an immediate return to the Championship as they are rock bottom of the Premier League table. They have won just four times all season and need to make up more than eight points on, at least, three of the sides that currently sit above them.
They have the benefit of not having to face any of the top three teams in the league before the end of the campaign but face a number of tricky tests in their last nine games. The average position of their remaining opponents is lower than 10th but it is hard to imagine they will be able to transform their fortunes.
Average position of remaining opponents: 10.11
