All eyes will be on the bottom of the Premier League table this weekend, as two of Leeds United, Everton and Leicester City will be relegated to the Championship on the final day. Given Manchester City are champions and the top four places have all-but been decided, for once the relegation battle will take centre stage.
We’ve assessed the state of play, and Betfred's odds to decide who will stay up and retain their Premier League status.
Leeds United
Position: 19th
Points: 31
Goal Difference: -27
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Oh Big Sam. The man who was brought in with four games to go to save Leeds’ season has accumulated just one point since his arrival and now Leeds have to beat Tottenham on the final day at Elland Road to have any chance of survival.
READ MORE:
- The Sportsman's alternative Premier League awards
- The Premier League's arms race has begun
- Betfred's Premier League odds*
If they can do that, they give themselves half a chance, but they are still relying on other results to go their way. Their pathetic goal difference has come from the fact that they have conceded more goals than any other side in the division and although they’ve scored in all three of Allardyce’s games so far, this looks like a tough ask.
They can definitely beat a deflated Tottenham side at Elland Road, but if either Leicester or Everton win, they are down. The final day always has twists however, so the 10/1 on offer for them to defy the odds and stay up looks tempting. Big Sam always gets out of these situations, and if he pulls this one off it might be his greatest escape of the lot.
Leicester City
Position: 18th
Points: 31
Goal Difference: -18
Fixture: West Ham (H)
The Foxes got a hard-earned point at Newcastle on Monday night, but it remains to be seen how useful that point will be. It means their destiny is no longer in their own hands and they also now have to beat West Ham at home to stand any chance of survival.
Dean Smith decided to drop James Maddison and Harvey Barnes away at Newcastle and it paid off as a resolute display meant they avoided defeat and stopped the huge number of goals they had been conceding. However, now they need to go on the offensive to beat a West Ham side who will have all eyes on the Europa Conference League final.
The one thing in Leicester’s favour over their relegation rivals is their goal difference. Should Everton drop points, the Foxes will overtake them with a win. All to play for, and Betfred have priced them at 10/3 to avoid the drop.
Everton
Position: 17th
Points: 33
Goal Difference: -24
Fixture: Bournemouth (H)
Everton know their destiny is in their own hands. If they win, there is no conversation to be had - they are safe and Leicester and Leeds go down. But, Everton are facing a Bournemouth side that can play with freedom, beat them 3-0 in the reverse fixture, and beat them 4-1 in the Carabao Cup. This won’t be easy, especially when you consider the pressure the players are under to get the job done.
Results will be coming in from elsewhere and if both Leeds and Leicester go in front, the tension will only increase around Goodison Park. They’ll know a draw won’t be enough if the Foxes go in front but importantly, they have their destiny in their own hands. That fact has given the bookies the short price of 1/4 that the Toffees stay up. Given what we have seen so far this season, that isn’t worth touching and instead, prepare yourself for some final day chaos.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
