As the calendar nears the end of February and all EPL teams have 11 matches remaining, it is time, again, for the annual relegation watch, as the bottom half of the EPL begins to focus more on survival and less on a top 4 spot.
This year looks to be particularly exciting as we have 5-6 teams all very near one another in the standings, and all these teams (save Norwich) come into the relegation watch with more points than is the norm at this time of year. Other than Liverpool, there is generally more parady in the EPL this season then we have seen in a while, and hopefully that will mean an exciting relegation battle. We are due, as last year was the least exciting relegation conclusion to a season we have had since I have been doing this thread.
Current Standings:
Club Games Played Points
15. Brighton & Hove Albion 27 28
16. Bournemouth 27 26
17. Aston Villa 27 25
18. West Ham 27 24
19. Watford 27 24
20. Norwich 26 18
Brighton & Hove Albion- Albion have been relegation battle regulars since their EPL arrival in 2017. In 2018 the Gulls finished 15th and last year they were the last club to survive relegation, finishing 17th. Here they are again, on the edge of the relegation battle, hoping to survive for another year in the EPL. The team has not won an EPL match in 2020, going 0(W) 5(T) 2(L) since the New Year. Draws are nice, but the club needs to put together some wins to get out of this year's relegation talk. The schedule is not particularly kind for Albion, as they only have one match remaining with a fellow relegation contender (April 11 at Norwich). The club does play many of the top flight teams (Leicester, Man. United, Liverpool, Man. City) so we might expect Albion to be a part of our Relegation battle until the end.
Bournemouth-The Cherries are playing in their 5th consecutive season in the EPL, and for the most part they have been able to avoid serious relegation scares in the last few years. Eddie Howe's club have had a bit tougher time this season, however, and currently sit just 2 points above the relegation line. Bournemouth have struggled in 2020, going 2 (W) 0(T) 5 (L) in 2020, claiming just 6 points. The Cherries will have to fight for points here on out, as their remaining schedule includes matches with Chelsea, Liverpool, Man. United, Tottenham, Leicester and Man. City. Eddie Howe will need to work his magic once again to save Bournemouth from the despair of relegation.
Aston Villa- Before finally suffering relegation at the end of the 2016 season, Aston Villa was a perpetual member of the relegation watch, always narrowly missing relegation. Now that the Villains are back in the EPL it seems they have found themselves back in their normal placeright on the relegation bubble. Villa have recorded a 2 (W) 4 (L) 1 (T) record for 7 points in 7 matches since the new year, and if they keep up a pace of a point per game they should avoid relegation. The schedule has some difficult upcoming matches (Leicester, Chelsea, Man. United, Liverpool) but there are also some winnable games, including a possible tasty match-up with fellow relegation dweller West Ham on the final day of the season.
West Ham United- For the last few seasons West Ham have seemed to find themselves consistently part of the relegation discussion. The Hammers did finish 10th last year under Pellegrini, but a poor start this season cast him his job and led to David Moyes coming back to try and stave off elimination for the Hammers for a second time, as Moyes led them out of the relegation battle in 2018. The starting stretch of the 2020 calendar year has been brutal for the Hammers, as they have gone 1 (W) 5(L) 2(T) for 5 points since the new year, playing Sheffield, Leicester, Man. City and Liverpool (twice) for their five losses. The good news is that the schedule looks much more manageable from here on out, with only two top 6 games remaining (Chelsea and Man. United) and many matches remaining against fellow relegation battlers (Watford, Norwich and last match of year v. Villa). The Hammers currently sit in the relegation zone, but have to feel hopeful that they are right on the cut line after their difficult schedule to start the year.
Watford- Since Watford's promotion to the EPL following the 2015 season, the club has done a good job of really avoiding the relegation battle (except for the 2016-17 season when they finished 17th), but it looks like this year it is going to be a battle for the club to avoid being sent down. The Hornets have started 2020 claiming 8 points from 7 matches (2 (W) 3 (L) 2 (T)) but the schedule has not been particularly difficult, with only one top 6 opponent over the stretch (Man. United). The schedule does get tougher from here on out as they have 4 top 6 matches remaining (Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, Man City), but they also have matches with other relegation battlers remaining (West Ham and Norwich).
Norwich City- After a three year absence from the EPL, it has been good to have the Canaries back. Norwich has a great fan base and are a team everyone seems to support. Unfortunately, it looks like they may be "one and done" in the EPL, as the Canaries currently sit 20th and are 7 points behind 17th position. The club has a 1 (W) 4(L) 2 (T) record in 2020, and they will need to improve on their point per game performance if they are to make up the ground needed to avoid relegation. The schedule gets easier as they only have two remaining matches against top 6 clubs (season ender against Man. City and Chelsea) and they also have three matches against other relegation dwellers (Brighton, Watford and West Ham) so there is an opportunity for Norwich to claim some points and try and survive, but the club will need to start collecting points soon.
Key Relegation Matches for this upcoming weekend:
Friday
Norwich v. Leicester (Carrow Road, 2pm CST, NBCSN)- The Canaries will begin their fight out of the bottom against Leicester on Friday evening. The clubs tied 1-1 in December at King Power Stadium, so Norwich will be hoping they can claim the full 3 at home. Draws do not really do them much good, so look for Norwich to be set up to try and claim a full 3 points at home. Leicester will of course be looking to continue their great season and hold on to their Champions League position, as the club currently sits 3rd.
Saturday
Brighton and Hove Albion v. Crystal Palace (Amex Stadium, 6:30am CST, NBCSN)- Albion get the early Saturday game this weekend and welcome Palace to the southern coast. The clubs drew 1-1 in December at Selhurst Park, and, with Palace sitting 13th and Brighton in 15th, this match takes on extra importance to the relegation battle. A couple consecutive losses could see Palace joint the relegation discussion, which is something they will be looking to avoid. Brighton's difficult remaining schedule means the Gulls really need to try and claim three points from a home match against another bottom 10 club.
Bournemouth v. Chelsea (Vitality Stadium, 9am, NBCSN)- The Cherries welcome Chelsea to the South Coast on Saturday and will be looking for a repeat of their 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge back in December. That match served as a bit of a turning point for Chelsea, who have looked better since, while Bournemouth have not really capitalized on the victory and now find themselves struggling to stay in the EPL. Should be an entertaining game as both clubs are in search of much needed points, one to avoid relegation and the other to hold onto a Champions League position.
West Ham v. Southampton (London Stadium, 9am, NBC Gold)- The Hammers host Southampton Saturday afternoon and will be looking for a repeat of their 1-0 win at St. Mary's back in December. Southampton currently sit in 12th place, just outside the relegation battle, so they will be keen to claim three points against the Hammers and further extend themselves from relegation talk. West Ham need to win home games like this if they are to avoid relegation this season.
Watford v. Liverpool (Vicarage Road, 11:30am, NBCSN)- Well, this one will be a tough one for Watford as Liverpool come in claiming 79 points from 27 matches, meaning the 1-1 draw to Man United was their only match this season where they have not claimed the full 3 points. The Reds beat Watford 2-0 at Anfield back in December and Watford have not scored a goal in their last four EPL matches against Liverpool. So, good luck Watford.
Aston Villa- The club does not have an EPL Match this weekend as they will be playing Man City in the League Cup Final Sunday afternoon.
Enjoy the weekend!
