The chances of West Ham being saved from the drop by the long-awaited Manchester City independent ruling are slim to none.
City are expected to be punished with up to a 60-point deduction for breaching 115 charges, thought to have risen to around 130 misdemeanours.
Nearly 18 months ago, a 12-week hearing between City legalrepresentatives and the Premier League took place.
Manchester City were originally charged three years ago (February 2023), but there were rumours that it could finally be delivered this Easter.
Insiders have not discounted this and now say the summer after the end of the season is the most likely scenario.
City lawyers will almost certainly appeal the decision, which would leave the Premier League in a difficult position.
City are predicted to earn around 80 points by the end of the season, so a massive 60-point deduction would relegate them to the bottom club.
The [Premier League](https://www.claretandhugh.info/premier-league-bio/) have no right to automatically move them down to the Championship, League One or two so points deduction remains their own option within the current rules.
Relegation of City next season would cause uncertainty for the third from the bottom club at the end of the season excluding City, as they wouldn’t know the outcome of any appeal.
If a 60-point deduction comes, it is likely to come into effect from next season, giving 12 months to deal with any appeals and counterarguments by lawyers.