Dropzone countdown

Ok with 8 rounds to go and Wigan in a great position I think its time to see how good a position we really are in

On current form we have proven that we can match the very best teams in the Premier League, we also have shown we lack that finishing edge which could come back to haunt us, however in saying that goal difference works to our advantage due to our supreme defence at the back.

Now its time to take a look away from the Latics and at other clubs around us.

Derby

They are relegated, as simple as that. The only way they could avoid dropping down is to win all there games but even then that only puts them onto 24pts and that isn't going to happen especially when they play Arsenal, Everton, West Ham and Blackburn, so won't waste to time with them

Fulham

They have one of the better draws out of the teams fighting for survival and the next 4 rounds is vital to there chances. If they can win 2 and draw 2 then thats 8pts and they would be well within reason to think they would avoid the drop with a month of footy to go.

Fulham
v Newcastle (A)
v Derby (A)
v Sunderland (H)
v Reading (A)
v Liverpool (H)
v City (A)
v Birmingham (H)
v Portsmouth (A)

Bolton

Unless something untowards happens between Bolton and United during the week, it will leave Bolton up against the odds of avoiding the drop. They will have to get at least 9pts from there last 8 matches thats either winning 3 let alone winning 2 and getting 3 draws (5 positive results in their last 8 matches) and I just can't see them doing that on current form.

They have a tough draw and have to get at least a win and a draw from there next 4 matches, if they don't I will right them off like Derby.

v Man City (H)
v Arsenal (H)
v Villa (A)
v Hammers (H)
v Borough (A)
v Spurs (A)
V Sunderland (H)
v Chelsea (A)

Sunderland

On there day they could avoid relegation, but like other clubs at the bottom of the ladder there day comes to and far between.

They play 4 fellow strugglers in there last 8 games, they win those they will be safe, they win 2 they will still be fighting and if they fail to win 1 regardless of a draw and they will go down

v Villa (A)
v Hammers (H)
v Fulham (A)
v City (H)
v Newcastle (A)
v Borough (H)
v Bolton (A)
v Arsenal (H)

Birmingham

You can say this about most teams at the bottom, if they have 1 good month they will survive, Birmingham is no exception. They have a decent draw and if they perform against fellow strugglers then they will be fine.

The point against Newcastle puts them above Sunderland as they have an advantage over other strugglers and thats there F/A and Goals scored

v Reading (A)
v City (H)
v Wigan (A)
v Everton (H)
v Villa (A)
v Liverpool (H)
v Fulham (A)
V Blackburn (H)


Newcastle

Managed to sneak a positive result today, in getting a draw against Birmingham, sure its 1pt but what that 1pt does is move them more than a game clear of Bolton. The result against Birmingham could provide them the relief they were after, its vital Owen stays injury free, its there defence that is there biggest problem

If Newcastle are going to survive they have to get more points than the other teams as they have the worst F/A of the teams battling it out for survival

There biggest advantage coming into the last 8 rounds is that they play 3 games against fellow strugglers all at home. No doubt if they perform to their ability they will survive and can match it with the top teams, problem is they usually perform for periods of matches and when they turn off its in a very big way.

If they can snatch vital wins at home against the fellow strugglers they will be fine but thats a big if on current form.

v Fulham (H)
v Tottenham (A)
v Reading (H)
v Portsmouth (A)
v Sunderland (H)
v Hammers (A)
v Chelsea (H)
v Everton (A)


Reading

Reading I think will be safe, they are playing a structured style of football which can be at times hard to breakdown

They play against 4 fellow teams trying to avoid relegation with 2 of those games away (Newcastle and Wigan) which will be tough games for Reading.

The amount of Goals scored by Reading is an advantage over other strugglers and could be the difference in them staying in the Premier League if push comes to shove, playing Derby in the last week helps there cause

v Birmingham (H)
v Blackburn (H)
v Newcastle (A)
v Fulham (H)
v Arsenal (A)
v Wigan (A)
v Tottenham (H)
v Derby (A)



Sprayzens Relegation Predicitions

18 - Bolton (29pts)
19 - Fulham (29pts)
20 - Derby (11pts)