Premier League Relegation Breakdown: Hull, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Burnley Battle To Avoid The Drop
By Ty Duffy
The EPL returns this weekend, following the March international doldrums. Eight match days (plus a Chelsea vs. Leicester meeting) remain. The title race is all but settled for Chelsea. The outlook of the top four race will be far clearer after Arsenal play Liverpool on Saturday. As in most years, the league’s most interesting battle down the stretch should be for survival.
The full table can be found here. Three points separate four teams – Hull City, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Burnley – for the last relegation place. QPR, three points behind them in 19th place, could still, mathematically, pull themselves out. Leicester, six points back, is probably down. Here is a breakdown of the clubs still at risk.
Hull City
Form: 2-2-3 (9pts, +1GD)
Home: Liverpool, Arsenal, Burnley, Manchester United
Away: Swansea, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Tottenham
Hull is in the best form over the past seven matches, with five results. That said, they have perhaps the toughest remaining schedule. While they have opportunities for away draws, three of their four remaining home fixtures are against top five opponents. Beating Burnley at home in a six-pointer will be imperative. N.B. Hull has a +8 goal difference advantage from the pack, should it come down to that.
Aston Villa
Form: 2-5-0 (6pts, -1GD)
Home: QPR, Everton, West Ham, Burnley
Away: Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City, Southampton
Aston Villa have a rough road schedule, but they can earn points in all four home games, including two six-pointers against QPR and Burnley. Unlike the other sides, though, outside distractions remain. Villa still has an FA Cup semifinal on Apr. 19 and a potential trip to the final. They could face a Wigan-style trophy or cash conundrum with their squad selection.
Sunderland
Form: 0-2-5 (2pts, -9GD)
Home: Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Leicester City
Away: Stoke, Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea
Sunderland have been in terrible form, with two points from their last seven matches. That’s why they are in this post. They have won just four of 30 matches. There won’t be many points available on the road. Sunderland may need at least 5-6 points from the home fixtures.
Burnley
Form: 1-4-2 (5pts, -6GD)
Home: Tottenham, Arsenal, Leicester City, Stoke
Away: Everton, West Ham, Hull City, Aston Villa
Burnley have impressed against the EPL’s big clubs this season. That form run includes a draw at Chelsea and a win over Man City. But, performances against the great unwashed are what keep you up. Burnley needs to beat Leicester and get away results, most crucially in the six-pointers against Hull and Aston Villa.
QPR
Form: 1-6-0 (3pts, -5GD)
Home: Chelsea, West Ham, Newcastle
Away: West Brom, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Man City, Leicester City
QPR has ground to make up. It’s not clear how they are going to do that. They have five remaining road games. They have lost 13/14 away from Loftus Road this season. At home, QPR face Chelsea trying to lock down the title and two mid-table teams. They have to win multiple games to climb their way out. It’s not clear that’s feasible.
Prediction
QPR, barring a massive turnaround is going down with Leicester. Plucky Burnley just squeeze past a hapless Sunderland.