The Premier League title race isn’t looking too hot this season. At the time of writing, it’s a two-horse race at best.
However, down at the other end of the table things are far more intense. Several teams are scrapping down at the bottom, hoping to avoid relegation to the Championship.
Here is how the relegation battle is shaping up.
20) Burnley
Games played: 20
Points: 14
Top scorer: Maxwel Cornet (6)
It’s been a tough campaign for Burnley. They sit at the bottom of the table, having won just one league game all season.
At the back, they have managed to maintain their usual defensive solidity. The Clarets have shipped 28 goals this term, which is the fewest in the bottom half by a fair distance.
However, it’s up the other end where they have struggled – only Norwich City have found the net on fewer occasions than Sean Dyche’s men.
New recruit Wout Weghorst had an encouraging debut against Manchester United, but it remains to be seen whether he will be the man to fire them to safety.
19) Watford
Games played: 22
Points: 15
Top scorer: Emmanuel Dennis (8)
Already on their third manager of the season, Watford will be hoping that Roy Hodgson can be the man to keep them afloat.
The former England boss has previously managed six different sides in the Premier League, and has suffered just one relegation with Blackburn Rovers in the 1998/99 season.
The Hornets have failed to win any of their last 11 games in all competitions. In that run, they have scored just eight and conceded 25.
Summer signing Emmanuel Dennis has been their standout, scoring eight and assisting five in 20 appearances. However, he has hit a rough patch, failing to register a goal contribution since the turn of the year.
18) Norwich City
Games played: 23
Points: 17
Top scorer: Teemu Pukki (6)
During the opening weeks of the season, Norwich City looked nailed on for relegation. It took them seven games to register their first point, and 11 games to get their first win.
Despite this, they are still in with a fighting chance of survival. The Canaries have picked up seven points from their last three outings, defeating Everton and Watford before drawing at home to Crystal Palace.
But they will need to improve at both ends if they wish to stay up. They have scored the fewest in the division with 14, and only Teemu Pukki has netted more than two this term. Meanwhile, they have also shipped the most goals in the league with 46.
17) Newcastle United
Games played: 22
Points: 18
Top scorer: Callum Wilson (6)
Under the previous regime, Newcastle United looked doomed. The squad was weak, Steve Bruce was hugely unpopular, and Mike Ashley was unwilling to open his wallet.
But a lot has changed over the last few months. The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund has come in, bringing hundreds of billions with them.
The first thing they did was replace Bruce with Eddie Howe, and then they gave him almost £100 million to spend in January.
The Magpies are yet to lose a league game in 2022, beating Leeds United and Everton while drawing with Watford. It’s clear that the new signings have had an impact.
16) Everton
Games played: 21
Points: 19
Top scorer: Demarai Gray (5)
Everton are one of just six teams who have never been relegated from the Premier League. Could that change this year?
Rafa Benitez’s brief and unpopular spell at Goodison Park came to an end last month, following a run of nine defeats in 12 matches. Since then, the Merseyside club have played two more league games without picking up a point.
A lot changed in January at Everton. Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard took charge, and five players were signed – including the likes of Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek.
The midfield pair will be eager to reignite their careers after some disappointing years.
15) Leeds United
Games played: 22
Points: 23
Top scorer: Raphinha (8)
Under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United have been one of the nation’s most entertaining teams, but also one of the most chaotic. It’s no surprise to see that their 22 matches have produced 70 goals.
After back-to-back batterings against Manchester City and Arsenal, the Yorkshire club looked in real danger. But wins against Burnley and West Ham United have helped them stay outside of the bottom three.
14) Brentford
Games played: 24
Points: 23
Top scorer: Ivan Toney (6)
Brentford were something of an unknown quantity when they came up. They hadn’t played top-flight football since 1947, and their squad had a combined total of 19 minutes worth of Premier League experience.
The Londoners seemed to be adjusting to the top tier very well, losing just one of their first seven matches. However, things have gone sour since then, and they find themselves six points off the relegation zone.
The form book is very much against them. The Bees have lost seven of their last eight league games, and nine of their last 11 in all competitions. If they don’t turn this around, they could easily get dragged into the bottom three.
13) Crystal Palace
Games played: 23
Points: 25
Top scorer: Conor Gallagher (7)
Crystal Palace are currently hovering eight points above the relegation zone with 15 games remaining. They ought to have enough to survive, but they could be dragged further down if their form doesn’t pick up.
The Eagles have won just two of their last 12 league games. They face Brentford, Watford, and Burnley in the next month – they cannot continue their poor form in these games if they want a stress-free end to the season.
There is undeniable quality in Patrick Vieira’s ranks. Wilfried Zaha has been a standout at Selhurst Park for years, and Conor Gallagher has earned himself a cap for England with his performances this season.
Meanwhile, Michael Olise has impressed since signing from Reading, and Eberechi Eze is making his return from injury.
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