The Premier League bottom three will still believe there’s a chance to escape the relegation zone. However, with less than half of the season remaining, any hopes of survival might just be wishful thinking.
Are Any of the Bottom Three Going to Beat the Drop?
Fulham
Eight points adrift of safety, with a respectable goal difference. Arguably, Fulham has the best chance of staying in the Premier League.
Fulham were relegated from the Premier League in 2019 with The Cottagers having their worst defensive record, conceding 81 goals.
While Fulham struggle this season. Scott Parker has learnt from the club’s previous top-flight spell and now aims to control games and maintain a solid shape throughout.
Fulham has recorded some positive results. A 2-0 win against relegation rivals, West Brom, whilst also managing a 2-1 win upset against the high-flying Leicester City.
Fulham has also drawn nine times already this season. With more recent draws against Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham.
Therefore, competing against the Premier League’s top teams is clearly not an issue for Fulham.
However, the Cottagers haven’t won a Premier League game since the end of November. Drawing games is just not good enough when hoping for a Premier League great escape.
By being more clinical in front of goal and turning more draws into wins. There’s a slim chance Fulham could escape relegation.
West Brom
Like Fulham, West Brom have had recent spells in the Championship. After a bad start and desperate to stay in the Premier League, the Baggies acted quickly with the sacking of Slaven Bilic.
To the surprise of Premier League fans. Bilic lost his job after a 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Although, the owners had no doubt expected to lose to the league leaders, therefore, readying their replacement.
Sam Allardyce was brought in as a manager who specialises in helping teams avoid relegation. With the focus shifting to the team’s defensive structure. Making the Baggies harder to break down. However, West Brom have shown minimal improvement while still losing by big scorelines.
A complete lack of quality means Allardyce has been unable to rescue West Brom from the relegation zone yet. Unless they hit form now, the Baggies will be returning to the Championship for another season.
Sheffield United
Perhaps the most in-form side out of the Premier League bottom three after wins against fellow strugglers West Brom and title challengers Manchester United.
However, Sheffield United are still bottom of the Premier League despite these positive results. This shows how badly The Blades started the season. Most of Sheffield United’s games have resulted in narrow defeats. While Sheffield United haven’t suffered the same humiliating defeats as West Brom. The Blades first win didn’t come until their 18th game of the season, against Newcastle United.
Newcastle United previously looked like they might swap places with a team from the bottom three. However, with Callum Wilson’s goals, Steve Bruce’s side have lengthened the gap to the drop zone.
Although, Sheffield United have picked up some good results recently but the likes of Brighton and Burnley have shown they will stay in the Premier League, by matching these wins. This means that, while Sheffield United have increased their points tally, they have failed to close the gap.
Like Fulham and West Brom, The Blades are heavily reliant on the form of the other teams above them if they are to have any chance of escaping the drop.
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