After an almost three-week break, the 2025-26 Premier League season is finally heading into its final stretch of fixtures. The races for relegation, Europe and the title remain wide open and, with plenty still to play for, a more favourable schedule could make all the difference.
While Wolves and Burnley look destined for the drop to the Championship, the third relegation place remains up for grabs, with both West Ham and Tottenham – who appointed new manager Roberto De Zerbi during the break – hoping to avoid a nightmare end to the campaign.
No less exciting is the fight for places in continental competition. After 31 games, only seven points separate Liverpool in fifth and Bournemouth in 13th, meaning the battle for Europe could go down to the wire.
Despite Arsenal being seven points clear at the top of the table, the title race is still far from over. The Gunners’ form has fluctuated in recent games, and they still have to face Manchester City away at the Etihad later this month.
With an exciting end to the Premier League campaign in store, data analysts have now assessed who faces the toughest run-in.
Chelsea to Miss Out on Europe?
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior looks on during the loss to Everton
The Opta Power Rankings have assessed the difficulty of each team’s remaining Premier League fixtures, with Crystal Palace emerging as those facing the toughest run-in, with an opponent average rating of 93.1.
The Eagles still have eight games to play, including fixtures against Manchester City, Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal.
However, Oliver Glasner’s side have taken four points from their last two matches and sit 10 points clear of the relegation zone, which should be enough to keep them clear of any survival battle.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all appear to have similarly difficult run-ins. For Liam Rosenior and Arne Slot, however, the remaining fixtures could bring added pressure.
Premier League Remaining Fixture Difficulty (2025-26)
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Both managers have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, with Chelsea winning only once in their last six league games, while Liverpool are winless in their last three.
Given the tight margins in the table, another poor run of results could put both clubs’ hopes of securing continental football at risk.
Chelsea go up against Man City this weekend and will also face Man United, Liverpool and Tottenham in their remaining seven games.
Tottenham Heading for Safety?
Roberto De Zerbi | Tottenham
A little further down the fixture difficulty table are Newcastle, West Ham and Manchester United, whose remaining run-ins appear more favourable.
Michael Carrick’s side host Leeds United at Old Trafford this weekend and will be encouraged by the fact they still have to face both Liverpool and Chelsea, who have looked far from convincing in recent weeks.
Hoping to avoid their first relegation since 2010-11, West Ham will only have to face Arsenal from the top six teams in the league and could climb out of the drop zone today with a win over rock-bottom Wolves.
Premier League Remaining Fixture Difficulty (2025-26)
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Friday’s win at the London Stadium would see Tottenham drop into the relegation zone for the first time this season.
However, with the appointment of De Zerbi and a favourable run-in, Spurs have plenty of reason to be optimistic. The Lilywhites have only the 15th most difficult schedule ahead, taking on Sunderland (away) and Brighton (home) in their next two games.
Arsenal’s Remaining Fixtures Evaluated
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Spurs’ fixture difficulty rating of 90.2 is exactly the same as title hopefuls Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side returned to winning ways in the Champions League in midweek and will take further confidence from their remaining Premier League fixtures.
Premier League Remaining Fixture Difficulty (2025-26)
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The north London side will take on Bournemouth, Man City and Newcastle in their next three games, followed by clashes with Fulham, West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.
Only three teams are deemed to have easier run-ins than Arsenal, with Brighton, Leeds and Wolves potentially facing a more favourable run of games until the end of the season.
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