Who will be relegated from the Premier League? It looks clear, but two more inexperienced players could be involved

26 incomplete rounds played, 12 to go. The Premier League has tipped into its final third and it is slowly emerging who will be playing for what. How does it look in the relegation zone and who will be fighting for salvation and millions in transfer fees?

The last place is occupied by Norwich. They are the only team that can be said to have a really slim chance of survival, the Canaries have a narrow squad and can’t maintain their long-term form. They have played the most games of the last quarter of the table (25) and are five points behind the relegation zone.

Burnley have the same number of points as Norwich. The Clearets, however, have three games to spare and decent form to boot, having lost just once in the last five rounds and picking up six points. Burnley have a lot of experience in rescue battles and it never pays to write them off. Saturday’s high-scoring win over Brighton (3: 0) is proof.

Watford broke a run of eleven games without a win on Saturday and kept themselves in the game of staying among the elite. The Hornets have the best squad of the last three in the league, at least the best starting line-up. The balanced offensive trio of Ismaila Sarr, Emmanuel Dennis, Joshua King will be a liability in the final third of the season, plus coach Roy Hodgson has plenty of experience fighting for survival.

Newcastle are starting to thrive after strengthening their squad. Ten points from four rounds has lifted The Magpies up to seventeenth, they already have a four point lead on Watford. Honestly, given the quality of the squad, one can expect Newcastle to climb the table. It’s not just about Allan Saint-Maximin anymore, as it was until January.

Sixteenth place is occupied by a star-studded Everton. It has as many points as Newcastle and games to spare, plus it brought in some interesting names in the winter transfer window, and whatever the mood in the blue of Liverpool, in time The Toffees will peel off and move closer to mid-table.

Compared to last season,Leeds are not entertaining English football fans nearly as much. Without the injured Patrick Bamford, last year’s newcomer has only a five-point lead on the relegation zone. In the next five rounds of Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Leicester and Aston Villa, it could easily be five losses and a drop down the table.

Despite the “panic” from the start of the season, Brentford are close to the last three. Just one point from the last six rounds, plus zero experience of fighting for relegation. The next three rounds (Newcastle, Norwich, Burnley) will show whether The Bees will have a quiet end to the season or not.

Source: Premier League