The most intense Premier League relegation race in years is beginning to heat up. Managers are getting sacked left, right and centre while league positions are as volatile as the British weather.
Victory for Leeds United at the weekend lifted them outside the bottom three - despite languishing in 19th before the game. For the first time in living memory, as many as nine teams could realistically go down heading into April.
For context, just four points separate rock-bottom Southampton from Crystal Palace in 12th. A couple of results can transform a side’s fortunes - for better or worse - and no club appears capable of pulling away.
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LeedsLive has profiled the key performers from each club who must step up to drag their side to safety.
Crystal Palace - Wilfried Zaha
By his usually-high standards, Zaha has been off the boil this season. There was a point a few seasons ago when, if the Crystal Palace talisman did not play, they did not win.
But zero Premier League goals since November is hardly conducive to a player at the top of his game. Palace as a whole have fired blanks in five of their last nine appearances - contributing towards Patrick Vieira getting the sack.
There is an acceptance around Selhurst Park that Zaha, out of contract in June, will leave this year. The 30-year-old is attracting interest from the Middle East and, should he leave, one of Palace’s own will do so with the fans’ blessing.
However, they need their star performer to deliver a swansong from now until the end of the season to retain their top-flight status. Other players, namely Eberechi Eze, have stepped up, but Zaha is the leader who must steer them to safety - one final time.
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Pedro Neto
There is no doubt that Pedro Neto is a mercurial talent on his day. Capable of playing on the left or right, the Portuguese international is still only 23 and has the credentials to become a top Premier League winger.
However, injuries have plagued him over the last 18 months. An ankle injury suffered in October butchered most of his campaign but, in recent weeks, Neto has made substitute appearances against Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Leeds.
Wolves have scored just 22 goals all season - the joint worst in the division. Adama Traore and Daniel Podence have created little spark, managing just one assist between them.
Neto returning to his best could help trigger a flurry of goals for starved striker Raul Jimenez. The Wanderers have kept faith in the winger throughout his lengthy absences, it is about time he repaid the favour.
Leeds United - Rodrigo
Rodrigo did not get off to the best of starts at Elland Road following his record-breaking move from Valencia. However, supporters began witnessing a resurgence at the tail end of last year - a run of form he has continued into the 2022-23 campaign.
The Spaniard is top goalscorer for the Whites with 11 strikes and netted against Wolves on Saturday. Javi Gracia has eased his compatriot back into the fold after a six-game layoff with an ankle injury.
At 32, Rodrigo may not provide the long-term answer to Leeds’ prayers but they need him to come good in these next two months. His redemption arc in Yorkshire would be completed if he can hit a purple patch and fire United to safety.
Admittedly, Leeds’ choice for this list was a difficult one. Wilfried Gnonto has excelled in his debut campaign and took just four minutes to vindicate his return at the weekend - setting up Jack Harrison's opener.
Illan Meslier has also been rock solid between the sticks, despite a leaky backline playing in front of him. In truth, Leeds will need a team effort - more than the brilliance of one individual - to ensure their Premier League safety.
Everton - Dominic Calvert-Lewin
It seems to be a catch-22 situation as far as Calvert-Lewin is concerned. One injury after another has displaced the 26-year-old from the England picture and, whenever he returns, there is perennial talk about him needing to step up.
Calvert-Lewin has played just 62 minutes since Sean Dyche was appointed in January. The Toffees’ boss confirmed he expects his striker to return soon and they are “monitoring” his progress.
When fit and firing, Calvert-Lewin is as good as any striker in the bottom half of the table. Dyche’s tactical style also caters to having a target man who can get on the end of crosses and score from set pieces.
If - and it is a big if - Calvert-Lewin can put his injury woes behind him, Everton will have a valuable weapon in their race for survival.
Nottingham Forest - Brennan Johnson
At just 21, Johnson has the weight of the City Ground on his shoulders. All those millions spent on bringing a second-rate Harlem Globetrotters to Nottingham and it is an academy product who has taken centre stage.
The forward, capable of playing through the middle or out wide, has scored the bulk of Forest’s goals next season - but he needs support. Emmanuel Dennis scored a well-taken goal against Newcastle last weekend and he will be hoping that can trigger a goal flurry.
Andre Ayew and Morgan Gibbs-White have also struggled since joining the Reds. It could fall on Johnson’s young shoulders to get Forest over the line as he so often has this campaign.
Leicester City - James Maddison
By far the easiest selection to make on this list. For most of the season, the Foxes have been James Maddison FC.
Just one year remaining on his contract this summer will have European clubs purring but that has not stopped the midfielder from producing the goods. A range of goals, from long-distance strikes to spectacular free-kicks, have carried Leicester in 2022-23.
Maddison’s nine goals and five assists have been the only aspect of Leicester's season worth shouting about. All does not seem well at the King Power Stadium, with question marks over Brendan Rodgers’ future.
The 2016 Premier League winners were not expected to be in such a mess back in August and it is a testament to Maddison’s ability how well he has performed in a poor side. This is the end of an era for the Foxes, who need the 26-year-old to continue his rich vein of form.
West Ham United - Declan Rice
Like Maddison at Leicester, not many are predicting Rice to be a West Ham player next season. Rumours linking him with a move away circulate every transfer window but, given the Hammers’ poor campaign, surely his days are numbered?
Rice is capable of grabbing a midfield by the scruff of its neck and is arguably the most valuable player in the relegation fight. Forty England caps usually equate to a player competing for honours, not scrapping in a relegation dogfight.
Despite netting for England this week, goals are not his forte, with West Ham needing to rely on somebody else for that. Big-money signing Lucas Paqueta has flopped so far and the Irons could do with him showing why they paid £40million last summer.
But Rice is the player West Ham need more than any else to hit an unwavering run of form.
Bournemouth - Dominic Solanke
As it stands, Solanke is yet to replicate his Championship form at Premier League level. The 24-year-old bagged 29 goals in the second tier last year but has managed just four this season.
Solanke was once billed as a future England striker, winning the under-20 FIFA World Cup in 2017. The talent is clearly there, otherwise Chelsea and Liverpool would not have both given him chances as a youngster.
Bournemouth supporters have waited for Solanke to explode all season - is the best yet to come? Getting back on the gaol trail soon would prove vital to the Cherriers’ chances.
Southampton - James Ward-Prowse
It will be remarkable if Ward-Prowse’s goal contributions manage to keep Southampton afloat. The set-piece specialist was the hero again at the weekend when his last-minute penalty rescued an unlikely point against Spurs.
Ward-Prowse strikes fear into every goalkeeper when he stands over a dead ball, with the Saints having little else to offer from an attacking sense. He is just one free-kick goal away from breaking David Beckham’s all-time Premier League record.
Could he etch his name in history this season by dragging Southampton to safety?
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