Following West Ham United’s victory over Watford, the battle to avoid Premier League relegation now looks to be cut down to three-horse race. Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Watford could all still be relegated, with the Hornets sitting three points above the drop zone, but what do these three teams need to survive?
The Three Teams Fighting to Avoid Premier League Relegation
Watford: Cause for Concern?
With 34 points and two games to go, Watford now have the toughest games of anyone left: home to Manchester City and away at Arsenal, which could well mean that their 34 points could be their lot come the end of the season. Yet, they can still survive by equalling the lowest points tally ever required to stay in the Premier League — the previous record was set by West Bromwich Albion in 2005 with 34 points.
Watford have been giant slayers this season already though, having secured a full three points at Vicarage Road against Liverpool in the Reds’ first loss of the season. Nigel Pearson will be hoping his team can pull off equally impressive results, but following their loss to West Ham, the stuffing could well have been knocked out of his team. A team that hasn’t really gotten going since their miraculous run of form when he was first hired.
Bournemouth: Still Hope for Howe?
Bournemouth have been the surprise Premier League package since 2015. With the smallest stadium in the league, no real big money to spend and football as exciting as it is terrifying to watch for fans of the club, the Cherries may well be living on borrowed time. No-one expected them to survive for five years in the league, but they look to have the easiest run of games left of the bunch.
Southampton have nothing to play for, despite churning out excellent results recently, and Everton looked frail against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s men have been on a late upturn in form, with a good performance against Manchester City and a stunning 4-1 win against Leicester City putting them back in the race for survival. Howe has a knack for keeping the Cherries in the league and these last two fixtures could see him pick up the four points he needs to put Watford down and out.
Aston Villa: Relying on Luck
Aston Villa’s season was in their hands when they faced Everton at Goodison Park. Three points would have meant they had were within one point of Watford with two games to go and a late lead suggested this would be the dramatic twist to the relegation story. Yet, predictably, they conceded late on as they have done all season and saw two points be spurned again.
Villa have conceded a whopping 17 goals in the last 15 minutes of games, the worst record in the league, and this is something Dean Smith’s men need to cut out if they have any hope of getting out of trouble. They are level with Bournemouth on points but face a much improved Arsenal side and a trip to West Ham on the final day of the season. It could all come down to that game, providing that Bournemouth and Watford lose their remaining games and Villa pick up a point at Villa Park against the Gunners.
Who Will Stay Up?
The smart money should be on Watford, with Nigel Pearson’s team having the points on the board. That said, Bournemouth have the easiest run of games and form on their side. They have come good at just the right time and could well pick up the points they need to survive. If they do survive it will all come down to the last day of the season and maybe even one goal could settle it.
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