Following the key Christmas and New Year period, the Premier League relegation scrap looks as tight as it’s ever been as we look ahead to what may lie ahead for the teams struggling at the wrong end of the top flight in the second half of the season.
In what looks like being one of the closest-fought battles to avoid the drop in years, just 10 points separates bottom club West Ham (8/13 to go down) and Bolton in seventh so, realistically, any three from 13 or 14 clubs could end up in the Championship next term.
And with the likes of Liverpool, Everton (33/1) and Aston Villa (4/1) on that list, could 2011 see a real shock with one of those three slipping into the second tier?
The Hammers appeared to have turned a corner following wins over Fulham and Wolves and a draw against Everton, but their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of rejuvenated Newcastle (9/1) has landed Avram Grant’s men right back in it.
Wolves were bottom ahead of Wednesday’s games but they have given themselves a huge lift with two wholly unexpected victories over Liverpool and Chelsea over the festive period to leave Mick McCarthy’s side in 17th but still level on points with Wigan and Aston Villa below them.
Gerard Houllier still apparently retains the backing of owner Randy Lerner at Villa Park but results have generally been dire since the Frenchman took over and the fans are growing restless as they view what appears to be a sinking ship under the former Liverpool boss’ tutelage.
Which brings us nicely on to the Reds. If Houllier is under pressure then Roy Hodgson must be suffocating with the weight of expectation and strain currently being felt at Anfield.
The dismal home defeat against Wolves was followed up by a morale-boosting win over Bolton on New Year’s Day, but that good work was swiftly undone by a shocking performance and 3-1 defeat at Blackburn on Wednesday.
Surely the experienced coach is on borrowed time? Now only a fine run of results will save him from the sack and, quite possibly, Liverpool from being caught up in their first-ever relegation scrap in the Premier League.
Everton’s 2-1 win over Spurs has given David Moyes’ side (33/1) a four-point cushion from the drop zone but the Blues’ inconsistency this season means they could easily get dragged into a dog fight come April as well, while West Brom (13/5), Fulham (7/2), Birmingham and Wigan (3/4) will need to call on all their experience of previous survival battles to ensure safety.
Blackpool (13/5) have been one of the stories of the campaign but a 2-1 reverse at home to Birmingham (3/1) last time out means Ian Holloway’s men are also just four points off the bottom three and they could yet get dragged into trouble despite their eye-catching performances and results in 2010.
So it’s shaping up to be a real battle for several sides hoping to retain their top-flight status over the coming months, while one or two of the so-called big boys may just be beginning to ponder the unthinkable.
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Pressure continues to mount on Avram Grant, whose West Ham side are 4/9 favourites to be relegated as they sit nestled to the bottom of the Premier League table following Saturday’s defeat at home to Manchester City but who will end up slipping out of the top flight next May?