Premier League relegation state of play
The Premier League is heating up as we enter the run-in, with teams at both ends of the table pushing aggressively towards their objectives.
While most of the focus is on the battle for the title between Arsenal and Manchester City, the relegation dogfight might even be more enthralling.
Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Burnley, Nottingham Forest, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all looking to stave off relegation.
Over the coming weeks, expect them to pull out all the stops to extend their stay in the top flight.
With that in mind, read on as we analyse their upcoming fixtures, form, and chances of avoiding the drop to the second division.
Leeds United (15th, 30 points)
Leeds were tipped to drop down immediately they came up, but manager Daniel Farke has steered them six points clear of the relegation zone with 12 games to go.
Unfortunately, six points are not enough, and Leeds must put more daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.
Leeds still have some terrifying fixtures ahead, with games against Manchester United and Manchester City looming.
However, games against fellow relegation fodder like Tottenham, Burnley, and West Ham will be more important in their bid for survival.
Secure another 10 points from their remaining fixtures, and they could be safe. They will take confidence from their form since the switch to the 3-5-2 formation and back themselves to beat the drop.
Tottenham Hotspur (16th, 29 points)
After finishing 17th last term, Spurs were determined to claw their way back to the top of the pile, but it has not happened.
The North Londoners find themselves stuck in a relegation battle once more and have hired Igor Tudor to save them following the departure of the uninspiring Thomas Frank.
The Croatian tactician is no stranger to this kind of quick-fix job and will be extra determined to put himself in contention for a permanent place in the Spurs dugout.
Tottenham need to tap into the new manager bounce for the North London derby versus wounded rivals Arsenal this weekend as they look for their first win of 2026.
Derbies against Fulham and Crystal Palace are also on the horizon, and so is a daunting trip to Merseyside to face Liverpool. Tudor has his work cut out for him.
The wider implications of a Spurs’ relegation cannot be lost. The club is poised to lose millions with long-standing commercial partners already pulling out.
Nottingham Forest (17th, 27 points)
Forest are on their fourth manager this season, hiring Vitor Pereira after parting ways with Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Sean Dyche.
The Portuguese manager is off to a flying start with a massive European win, but they must now bring that confidence to the league, where they face a stern challenge.
According to the Premier League’s Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), they have some of the fairest games in the run-in.
They face Liverpool and Man City over the next three matchweeks. However, the fixtures get relatively easier as they lock horns with Fulham, Bournemouth, and Burnley.
Captain and talisman Morgan Gibbs-White bagged a goal and an assist in Pereira’s European debut, and if the gaffer can keep him fit and firing, they have a very good chance of escaping relegation.
West Ham United (18th, 24 points)
West Ham are just three points away from safety, and that’s saying something considering their abysmal start to the season.
Under Nuno, they have clawed back some points, clinching important results against Tottenham, Burnley, and Man Utd in recent weeks.
They will be brimming with confidence, which they need, given they have the toughest remaining fixtures. The Hammers have six fixtures over the next 12 Matchweeks with a difficulty rating of four out of five.
West Ham welcome Manchester City and Arsenal to their home, before travelling to Liverpool, Aston Villa, Brentford and Newcastle United away.
The odds are stacked against them, but the recent form of Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, and improved defensive resilience, offer the Hammers hope that the football gods might smile on them this season.
Nuno has shown he can navigate a last-minute escape, but it will be quite the challenge with this badly assembled West Ham roster.
Burnley (19th, 18 points)
Here we go again! Burnley impressively barnstorm their way into the top flight only to handle the transfer window like amateurs, leaving themselves with a huge mountain to climb.
Where have we seen that script before? That’s right, at Turf Moor.
Burnley have shipped the most goals in the Premier League this term, and it is almost a foregone conclusion that they will inevitably be back in the Championship come this summer.
They will give it a go, but it is hard to envisage them securing the points they need to climb up the table when they have games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Man City.
Scott Parker will immediately look to steer them back, and they will be odds-on favourites. However, Burnley need a new approach to their Premier League transfers.
The decision to sign Armando Broja was mind-boggling. They made several befuddling transfers that they cannot afford to repeat if they are to extend their stay in the top flight beyond their one-season stays.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (20th, 10 points)
Wolves were heading towards Derby County 2007/08 territory (11 points), but after accruing 10 points, they should surpass that miserable point tally over the next 12 games.
Wolves are destined for the drop after losing 19 games so far. They have improved since the arrival of Rob Edwards, but have not done enough to show they can secure the points required to avoid relegation.
Their fixtures are relatively easy with clashes against fellow strugglers Leeds, Burnley and West Ham offering rare six-point opportunities.
Games against mid-table sides such as Fulham and Bournemouth also present a slimmer route to points.
However, the issue for Wolves has not been just the quality of the opposition. It has been their own shortcomings.
They struggle to keep clean sheets, concede cheap goals at key moments, and lack x-factor in the final third.
Even if they manage a late surge, the gap looks insurmountable. Survival requires at least 20 more points from their remaining fixtures, a pace they have not come close to sustaining all season.
Barring something miraculous, Wolves look set for a long summer of reflection and a return to the Championship.