Premier League relegation maths: it’s all Everton, Leicester must beat Chelsea

Sunday from 17:30 will be the decision! While last year the Premier League title was on the line in the last round, this year it’s just a game of survival and seventh place in the European Conference League. We’ll focus on the battle for survival today.

To start with, the only certain relegationists are Southampton, who paid the price for poor productivity and were officially relegated two weeks ago. They will say goodbye to top-flight football with a home game against Liverpool.

The remaining two relegation places are offered to three teams, only one of which will celebrate remaining among the elite on Sunday night. Everton will go into the last round from the top position, with Leeds and Leicester both two points behind.

Everton are in a very comfortable position indeed. It has the easiest opponent of the three under threat, Bournemouth, moreover, at home. If they win, they have no opponent to look to. The only caveat is that Bournemouth have won their last four confrontations.

Everton will be celebrating even if they lose or draw and neither Leeds nor Leicester win. They have a two-point lead over both opponents.

If all the clubs meet on the same number of points, the score will decide. This would probably play to Leicester, who are currently on -18, while Everton are down by 24 and Leeds by as many as 27 goals.

Moreover, one cannot expect much from The Whites in the way of a dramatic improvement in the score. It will be difficult to win at all, as Leeds will welcome Tottenham at home, who are still playing for the Europa League. If Leeds win, and Leicester with them, the Foxes will have a 99 per cent advantage in the standings.

So Leeds will only be saved if they win, Leicester don’t win and Everton lose. Should Everton draw, Leeds need to beat Tottenham by at least three goals to overtake them on aggregate.

Leicester will only need a win to save themselves if Everton or Leeds don’t win. They will have a better record than both teams. At home, they will challenge West Ham, who are not playing for anything but need to prepare for the Europa Conference final.

Source: Premier League