Only a week ago, it seemed plausible that 37 points might be enough to guarantee Premier League survival. However, recent results from the clubs clustered around the third relegation spot — currently occupied by West Ham — suggest that a higher total may now be necessary.
The main reason the threshold keeps rising is Nottingham Forest’s surge in form. They have collected seven points from their last three matches, with their next game a crucial “six‑pointer” against Crystal Palace, who have collapsed dramatically with just two points from their last six games. Forest then head to Elland Road to face Leeds United before hosting Wolves. Despite tough fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City still to come, they also meet Tottenham Hotspur, another side being dragged into the relegation battle.
London Clubs Sliding Towards Danger
Tottenham’s run‑in is far from straightforward, and anxiety is growing among their supporters. They have taken only six points from their last six matches and sit on 28 points from 23 games, eight ahead of West Ham. Up next is a home clash with Manchester City, followed by a trip to an in‑form Manchester United, then meetings with Newcastle and a daunting away derby against Arsenal.
Leeds United face Everton this evening, and a quick glance at the last league game of the season involves a trip to the London Stadium — a fixture many believe could prove decisive. Yet there are still a number of games to play between now and May. In the immediate future, Leeds face a difficult sequence of matches including Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa, with the Nottingham Forest match also shaping up to be another vital “six‑pointer.”
With both Crystal Palace and Tottenham now being mentioned as clubs at risk of being dragged into the battle to stay up, it should be noted that both sides are only three wins away from reaching 37 points. It is vital that West Ham continue to close that gap, as they are still five points adrift of safety with a vastly inferior goal difference — effectively meaning a six-point gap — and eight points away from their two London rivals.
With so many games still to play, that threshold is not insurmountable. But it does mean the Hammers must keep on winning. With a visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, West Ham supporters may need to dust off the Great Escape anthem once more to keep spirits high.
Like when we went down with 42 points and would’ve still gone down on 44 points, we’ve chosen a bad season to have a bad season .. Last year, on current points, we’d be 4 points clear instead of 5 points behind .. Assuming we stay ahead of Burnley, as was said, we need to get 3 points more than Leeds between now and that last day fixture .. Looking at Leeds upcoming games, we probably need to gain those 3 points over the next 6 games …
40 points minimum to stay up this season I feel. Interestingly, if we can just score 3 more points than Leeds from now to the end of the season, we can take it the last game knowing if we beat them we stay up! Hoping Everton can do us a big favour tonight….
8 wins needed….job done