Premier League relegation battle and top four race permutations

David Cooper - Writer 00:29 08/05/2018
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  • The fight against relegation and the battle for Champions League places have yet to be decided in the Premier League.

    Here’s a look at what will be settled in the final week of the season.

    RELEGATION BATTLE

    Baggies’ slim hopes

    West Brom’s late rally appears to be too little, too late as if there is a winner in Tuesday’s clash between 18th-placed Swansea and 17th-placed Southampton, both of whom have 33 points, then that would condemn the Baggies to relegation.

    However, a draw at the Liberty Stadium would see West Brom’s fight for survival extended to the final day of the campaign when they would have to beat Crystal Palace and rely on defeats for the Swans and Saints.

    The Baggies would also require a four-goal swing with Saints.

    Still life in West Brom?

    Still life in West Brom?

    Swans can swing it

    A draw would leave Swansea needing to better Southampton’s result on Sunday as their goal difference is worse than that of Saints. Should Swansea beat Southampton then they would still need a point against Stoke on Sunday.

    Saints’ path to salvation

    Should Southampton win in Wales then that would almost guarantee their survival as their goal difference is already seven better than Swansea’s heading into Tuesday’s game.

    Terriers can escape scrap

    As things stand, Huddersfield – in 16th place and three points ahead of Swansea and Southampton – still need two points to ensure they stay up and they travel to Chelsea on Tuesday before finishing off the season at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

    However, if there is a winner in the Swansea and Southampton clash then one point will be enough for the Terriers from their remaining two matches.

    TOP FOUR RACE

    Chelsea’s win against Liverpool kept alive their hopes of finishing in the top four but they are reliant on either Liverpool or Tottenham slipping up. Antonio Conte’s team can end the campaign with a maximum of 75 points with wins in their remaining games against Huddersfield and Newcastle.

    That means third-placed Liverpool still need a win against Brighton at Anfield on the final day of the season to ensure a top-four finish, with their goal difference superior to Chelsea’s.

    Spurs hold a two-point cushion over Chelsea and victory at home to Newcastle on Tuesday would see them overtake Liverpool. They need four more points from their matches against the Magpies and Leicester to make the top four as, like Liverpool, their goal difference is far better than Chelsea’s.

    Blues make late dash.

    Blues make late dash.

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