Premier League relegation run-in: Remaining fixtures, key clashes and predicted finishes as six sides battle to stay up
The 2023/24 Premier League relegation battle is unlike any we’ve seen in recent times.
Everton and Nottingham Forest were hit with points deductions by the league for breaking financial rules, which had major consequences for the rest of the league.
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The Toffees were initially given a ten-point deduction, which, on appeal, was reduced to six. Forest lost four points.
This means that there are six teams engaged in a dogfight until the end.
Here, talkSPORT.com takes a look at the battle to avoid the drop.
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Brentford – 15th
It’s been a difficult season for Brentford and they aren’t safe yet.
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The Bees were without Ivan Toney until January due to his ban for illegal football betting, despite being one of the teams to have lost the most days to injury.
Bryan Mbeumo, Aaron Hickey, Kevin Schade and Rico Henry, all key players, were out for much of the year.
In the remaining matches, Thomas Frank’s men will not face any of the title contenders but will face Everton, Sheffield United and Luton.
Ultimately, everything should be fine, but the Bees’ campaign remains disappointing.
Expected arrival – 15th
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Brentford’s remaining matches
Brighton – H – April 3
Aston Villa – A – April 6
Sheffield United – H – April 13
Luton – A – April 20
Everton – A – April 27
Fulham – H – May 4
Bournemouth – A – May 11
Newcastle – H – May 19
Everton – 16th
In a normal Premier League season, the Toffees would be just nine points short of that magic mark of 40.
But due to its financial difficulties, the team is still struggling and in poor form.
Sean Dyche’s men are now without a win in 12 league matches after winning four in a row earlier in the year.
And given their remaining matches, it’s probably a good job they picked up these points as the Toffees have to face Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Luton and Sheffield United.
These four games are huge, and Everton need to take at least seven points, which should be enough to ensure safety.
Expected arrival – 17th
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Everton’s remaining matches
Newcastle – A – April 2
Burnley – H – April 6
Chelsea – A – April 15
Nottingham Forest – H – April 20
Brentford – H – April 27
Luton – A – May 4
Sheffield United – H – May 11
Arsenal – A – May 19
Liverpool – M – N/A
Nottingham Forest – 17th
Even before the points deduction, Forest were struggling and decided to replace Steve Cooper with Nuno Espirito Santo.
The former Wolves boss has failed to make the expected impact and the Tricky Trees are in a tricky situation.
They have only won one of their last ten games, so a return to the Championship is starting to look possible.
In their remaining matches, they face top-of-the-table Man City and Tottenham and also face Everton, Sheffield United and Burnley.
It will be these games which will decide their fate, unless there is an appeal on their points deduction.
Expected arrival – 18th
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Nottingham Forest’s latest matches
Fulham – H – April 2
Tottenham – A – April 8
Wolves – H – April 13
Everton – A – April 20
Manchester City – H – April 27
Sheffield United – A – May 4
Chelsea – H – May 11
Burnley – A – May 19
Luton – 18th
Despite being written off at the start of the season by everyone, Luton have a good chance of surviving in their first ever Premier League campaign.
The Hatters were a breath of fresh air and were hugely entertaining, scoring more goals than Manchester United and almost twice as many as Sheffield United.
But Luton faces very difficult matches. They are due to face Arsenal and Manchester City, while matches against Everton and Brentford are must-sees.
Ultimately, the Hatters should have just about enough to stay in the Premier League.
Expected arrival – 16th
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Luton’s latest matches
Arsenal – A – April 3
Bournemouth – H – April 6
Manchester City – A – April 13
Brentford – H – April 20
Wolves – A – April 27
Everton – H – May 4
West Ham – A – May 11
Fulham – H – May 19
Burnley – 19th
For a team that demolished the Championship last year, a lot more was expected of Burnley.
However, the Clarets showed themselves to be naive and weak in defense.
Vincent Kompany’s ideas on the style of football he wants to play are right, but the players seem unable to implement them and relegation seems almost inevitable.
They are just four points from safety but have some tough games coming up, including Tottenham and Man United, while clashes against Everton, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest are huge.
There’s probably too much going on for Burnley this time.
Expected arrival – 19th
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Burnley’s remaining matches
Wolves – H – April 2
Everton – A – April 6
Brighton – H – April 13
Sheffield United – A – April 20
Manchester United – A – April 27
Newcastle – H – May 4
Tottenham – A – May 11
Nottingham Forest – H – May 19
Sheffield United – 20th
Unless things change drastically in the final games of the season, this Sheffield United team will remain one of the worst the Premier League has ever seen.
The Blades beat Derby’s tally by 11 points in 2007/08, but are currently seven points from safety and have conceded a ridiculous number of goals.
Chris Wilder’s side have scored 77 goals and been beaten several times this year.
They will fight until the end, but they still have to face Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham.
The Blades made numerous mistakes over the summer, leading to what has been a chaotic campaign that is expected to end in a demotion to the Championship.
Expected arrival – 20th
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Sheffield United’s latest matches
Liverpool – A – April 4
Chelsea – H – April 7
Brentford – A – April 13
Burnley – H – April 20
Newcastle – A – April 27
Nottingham Forest – H – May 4
Everton – A – May 11
Tottenham – H – May 19
Man United – A – N/A
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