The battle for top-flight survival is reaching its climax, and the margin for error is set to shorten further as relegation candidates fight it out in the final four weeks of the season.
Hull City, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Sunderland, QPR, Burnley and, to an extent, Newcastle, are all entrenched in this season’s relegation battle, and many of these sides will face each other as the campaign concludes.
These fixtures look likely to pit the aforementioned clubs in the last-chance saloon, and Outside90 Senior Editor Joel Fruci casts an eye over the must-see fixtures at the bottom-end of the Premier League table.
Leicester City vs Newcastle United, King Power Stadium, 2 May
Although the Toon appear safe from relegation, they are hovering dangerously above the bottom five, only one win ahead of Aston Villa. Leicester will be favourites for the clash after a run of good form, while the Magpies endure yet another barren run of results.
John Carver will be desperate for his side to solidify its toehold on safety, while the Foxes will be looking to add to their one-point lead over 18th-placed Sunderland.
Nigel Pearson’s side suffered defeat against Chelsea, but scoring a goal against the soon-to-be champions was an indicator of its renewed sense of belief.
Prediction: Leicester win.
Hull City vs Burnley, KC Stadium, 10 May
Hull City gave its hopes of survival a huge boost earlier in the week after a massive 1-0 win over Liverpool. The Tigers sit in 15th, four points above the drop zone and with the best goal difference of any bottom five team.
The Clarets, on the other hand, face a steep climb to avoid the drop. They sit bottom of the table with 26 points, five behind Leicester.
Hull has won five times at home this season, but Burnley has secured three points on the road only once.
Prediction: Hull win.
QPR vs Newcastle United, Loftus Road, 17 May
The Rs have promised a lot this campaign, but never really got going, and Harry Redknapp paid with his job. Chris Ramsey has gone some way to injecting new hope of survival but ultimately, the London club remains in the bottom three.
Rangers will need to reproduce the stellar performance of their last win, a 4-1 triumph at The Hawthorns. Newcastle, however, will still be hungry to ensure its safety.
Prediction: Draw.
Sunderland vs Leicester City, Stadium of Light, 17 May
This match coincides with the above fixture between QPR and Newcastle, so the repercussions of losing this match could potentially be disastrous.
Sunderland’s home form is the second-worst in the league, only behind Aston Villa, who has one more home draw than the Black Cats, so even with the backing of their home fans, home ground advantage may prove an empty superstition.
This clash is, however, pivotal for Sunderland, with a tough run-in, including a meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the final day.
Predicition: Draw.
Aston Villa vs Burnley, Villa Park, 25 May
If things go wrong for Burnley, this match might be a redundant fixture for it, with the possibility of being relegated before the final day looming large.
Tim Sherwood has been able lift the Villains since the departure of Paul Lambert, including qualifying for the FA Cup final.
Christian Benteke has begun to fire too, so this could be the day that Sean Dyche’s side is condemned to the Championship.
Prediction: Aston Villa win.
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Leicester City vs QPR, King Power Stadium, 25 May
This is another fixture that will likely prove to be a relegation decider. The Foxes may be safe by this stage, if they continue to win and other results go in their favour.
The match is likely to have more significance either way for QPR, who, like Sunderland, have a tough end to the campaign, and this match could easily prove to be the London side’s last chance to ensure survival.
Prediction: Draw.
Predicted Bottom Three: Sunderland, QPR, Burnley.
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