The Premier League relegation battle is heating up with Leeds United, Tottenham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest scrapping for survival
Xavi Simons of Tottenham Hotspur lies dejected during the Premier League match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor
Tottenham are one of a handful of relegation-threatened top-flight teams(Image: Getty)
View 3 Images
Tottenham are one of many sides facing the very real threat of relegation with eight Premier League fixtures left to play. However, a repeat of the reverse results of these remaining matches would see them survive as they battle with Leeds United, West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
Spurs have suffered a woeful campaign which started under Thomas Frank, with Igor Tudor brought in to tackle the crisis in February. Yet he has been unable to fully stabilise matters, though a 1-1 draw against Liverpool last time out in the league ended a six-match losing run.
They face Forest on Sunday afternoon in a crucial relegation six-pointer as West Ham and Leeds also linger dangerously near the drop. When the two sides last met, it was Forest who emerged as comfortable 3-0 winners.
If we assume that both bottom-placed Wolves and second-bottom Burnley are beyond saving this season, then it appears probable that four clubs are presently fighting to avoid occupying the final relegation place.
Leeds, Tottenham, Forest and West Ham all appear in danger of relegation, but if we examine the reverse fixtures and assume their results are replicated, Spurs would survive. Whilst they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Forest last time round, their following opponents, Sunderland, held them to a 1-1 draw in January.
They then face Brighton and in this scenario would collect another point, having drawn 2-2 in September last year. Next comes Wolves, who once again shared the spoils with Tottenham last time in a 1-1 draw. Aston Villa follow and matters continue to appear fairly grim in our projection as they lost 2-1 to Unai Emery's side in October.
Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest looks dejected after defeat during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest at the American Express Community Stadium
Forest face Spurs on Sunday(Image: Getty)
View 3 Images
Nevertheless, things then improve. Spurs defeated Leeds 2-1 when these two teams last met and so crucial three points could be secured here.
Chelsea are up next and this resulted in a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture, but they conclude the season against Everton, whom they thrashed 3-0 back in October.
This would see Tottenham finish the campaign on 39 points and if we consider the other relegation-threatened teams' reverse fixtures, they'd avoid the theoretical drop.
Mads Hermansen of West Ham United looks dejected as he applauds the fans following the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium
West Ham are in danger of going down(Image: Getty)
View 3 Images
In this exercise of speculation, Leeds would secure victories against Wolves and West Ham and claim points from draws versus Brentford, Manchester United and Bournemouth. This would leave them safe from relegation too on 41 points.
Forest wouldn't enjoy the same fortune, securing victory against Spurs but managing only draws with Burnley and Manchester United, leaving them on 34 points. However, they would still avoid the drop in this scenario, with West Ham suffering relegation to the Championship.
The Hammers also collect four additional points, courtesy of a victory over Newcastle and a draw with Everton. This would leave them stranded on 33 points and relegated by a single point, although naturally all these clubs can change their fate should they reverse these results in the return fixtures.
Content Image
Content Image