Survival scrap analysed

The Premier League title race might have been settled with two games to spare but we are still no closer to knowing who will be relegated with Aston Villa to next season’s Championship.

Although it is still mathematically possible for Crystal Palace to go down, there’s a three-way scrap for survival between Newcastle, Sunderland and Norwich – and only one will make it.

So tight are things between them that each club has held the sacred 17th place within the last fortnight, and currently it is Newcastle who are highest in the standings.

Will they be the club which gets out of trouble by the end of the campaign? Here we weigh up various factors which could determine who keeps their place in the top flight…

Remaining fixtures

Newcastle – out of the relegation zone at present – have one game less than Sunderland and Norwich from which to pick up points – but is their run-in more favourable?

Rafa Benitez’s resurgent face relegated Villa – a side currently on an 11-match losing streak – on Saturday and finish at home to Tottenham. 

Spurs’ title chase is over and with third-top Arsenal at fourth-placed Manchester City this weekend, there is every chance a runners-up spot will be confirmed by the time Mauricio Pochettino’s side arrive at St James’ Park.

Curiously, Sunderland and Norwich both play beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Watford and Everton in their last two matches.

With Wembley losses effectively ending both clubs’ seasons and speculation rife about the future of each of their managers, they look good games, on paper, for the relegation-threatened sides to have.

Everton had failed to win in seven games before beating Bournemouth last time out while Watford have lost six of their last 10 competitive games and each is therefore vulnerable.

Before those matches, Norwich host Manchester United this Saturday lunchtime before Sunderland are at home to Chelsea.

United desperately need a win to keep their hopes of a top-four place alive and are a much tougher beast than the one Alex Neil’s side – who have lost five of their previous …

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