As the English Premier League draws to a close, who will be the third and final team to be relegated?
Burnley and QPR are already consigned to Championship football next season but with only two games left, there are as many as five teams who could possibly join them.
HULL CITY – 18th Place 34 points
Hull City currently occupy the last remaining relegation spot, two points behind Newcastle United who occupy the place above. The two remaining fixtures see the Tigers take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and then host Manchester United at home.
Hull at times this season have played some good football, earning hard fought draws against Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. But the eminent factor in their season has been the inability to score goals. In the five games of January 2015, they failed to find the back of the net once. Three of these games had been against beatable opposition, a total of 12 possible points lost; which could cost them dearly.
NEWCASTLE UNITED – 17th Place 36 points
Newcastle United find themselves embroiled in another relegation battle after losing 8 games out of 9 played. Caretaker boss John Carver has taken the brunt of the criticism from the Toon faithful but there were problems even when predecessor Alan Pardew was at the helm. A lack of faith in the “Cockney mafia” from supporters forced Pardew out of the club, with Carver replacing him. Pardew had been able to motivate the players to perform, something which Carver hasn’t been able to accomplish; his team often looking lacklustre.
The three-nil drubbing to fellow relegation candidates Leicester City was an absolute disaster for the club. What was even more worrying was the contrast in both teams – while Leicester battled and fought for their survival, certain players on the Newcastle side didn’t look even remotely interested, even with two highly controversial sending off’s. After the game Carver revealed that he had criticised Mike Williamson, one of the recipients of a red card, on his commitment to the club. A fight on the team bus also pointed to more problems for the magpies.
SUNDERLAND – 16th Place 36 points
Another North Eastern club in trouble, Sunderland are also battling for the survival. Dutchman Dick Advocaat has arrived on Wearside and will be confident on keeping them in England’s top division.
Sunderland are on a two game winning streak, after being Everton and Southampton, two teams who had designs on qualifying for Europe. The Black Cats must be full of confidence, but was the turning point in their fortune a one-nil victory over rivals and fellow strugglers Newcastle United? With the addition of Jermain Defoe, it is possible that Sunderland have the required firepower to stay up.
LEICESTER CITY – 15th Place 37 points
Leicester City would have been the bookmakers’ favourites to get relegated this season. This prediction would have carried on for much of the season, but a remarkable turnaround in the league has seen them won 6 of their last 7 games.
The Foxes have been led by the mercurial Nigel Pearson, who has had his share of controversy this season. With players Like Jamie Vardy, who looks like he is willing to die for the cause, or the well travelled Esteban Cambiasso, it looks like Leicester City have given themselves a chance of staying up.
They need four points from the last two games. They face Sunderland in a “relegation 6 pointer” before welcoming QPR, who are already down.
ASTON VILLA – 14th Place 38 points
Aston Villa were staring down the barrel of a first relegation from the Premier League. Often clubs are described as “too big” to go down. Villa would definitely fit this description.
When Tim Sherwood took over midway through February, the Villans were in real trouble. Star striker Christian Benteke never looked like scoring and as such, Villa followed loss after loss. Sherwood has managed to get the best out of this striker, who has contributed 11 goals from 9 games since Sherwood took the reins. It looks like this performance, coupled with the right management has spared Villa for another season.
