EPL RELEGATION BATTLE

[Twitchyarry]

This season's battle against the drop promises to be the tighest in history as, with just 10 games remaining, just six points seperate third-bottom Blackburn from Bolton in 11th.

Now TEAMtalk's Mark Holmes looks at the 10 teams still in trouble and predicts who will keep their heads above water, and who will sink into the Championship.

Bolton (11th)

Defeat at Stoke last time out keeps the Trotters in the mix but three wins from the four games before that gave them a bit of breathing space, while home games against Fulham, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hull should see them accumulate enough points to maintain their mid-table position.

Four away wins so far this season suggests they could be good for a few points on the road as well so their form, plus the experience of relegation fights of Gary Megson and the club as a whole means they should be fine. TEAMtalk Prediction - 11th

Tottenham (12th)

Few people expected Spurs to be in this situation and even fewer, if any, expect them to actually go down. Their squad is undoubtedly the most talented in the bottom half and the recent 4-0 thrashing of Middlesbrough gave everyone a timely reminder of that.

They are now unbeaten in three league games and took Manchester United all the way in the Carling Cup final so it would be a major surprise to see them slip back into real trouble.

However, their fixture list is not particularly kind so they must beat the likes of West Ham, Newcastle and West Brom at White Hart Lane to better last season's 11th-placed finish. TEAMtalk Prediction - 12th

Sunderland (13th)

Ricky Sbragia has steadied the ship since taking over over but one point from two games has got fans on Wearside worried again.

They probably only need another two wins for survival but Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea are all due at the Stadium of Light meaning points will be needed on the road.

Their away form is better than most of their rivals, though, and the likes of Kenwyne Jones, Djibril Cisse and Kieron Richardson should get them the goals to retain their Premier League status. TEAMtalk Prediction - 14th

Hull (14th)

Hull enjoyed a fantastic start to life in the top flight and finished 2008 in eighth spot on 27 points, meaning they had five full months to grab the other 13 they'd probably need.

However they picked up just two points in January and February and remain one of the bookies' favourites to go down. They did end an 11-game winless streak with a superb 1-0 win at Fulham to edge five points clear of third-bottom Blackburn. but their form still shows just two wins in 19.

Their record at the KC Stadium is the worst in the league too, and Geovanni's reaction to being substituted recently suggests some dressing room discontent.

Games against Newcastle, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Stoke offer the chance of points but they will be in deep trouble if they lose to the Magpies this weekend. TEAMtalk Prediction - 18th

Stoke (15th)

Stoke's win over Bolton lifted them to 15th in the table and a nice run-in to the season gives them a good chance of maintaining that position.

Their home form is among the best in the league and remaining Britannia clashes against Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham and Wigan should see a fair return of points. They also travel to Hull and West Brom, meaning at least seven of their final 10 games are winnable.

Their January business was arguably better than their rivals' too - James Beatite in particular has been an inspired signing - and a run of just one defeat in five suggests they are hitting form at the right time. TEAMtalk Prediction - 13th

Newcastle (16th)

Newcastle have won just one of their last 10 Premier League games - against hapless West Brom - and so fans on Tyneside are rightly concerned.

Their fixture list is about as difficult as it could get and the absence of Joe Kinnear from the dugout is hardly likely to help matters.

They undoubtedly have a squad full of talent but the Magpies have been in trouble for much of the season so an overnight change seems unlikely.

Their survival could well depend on what they do at Hull this weekend because they play Arsenal and Chelsea after their trip to the KC before going to Stoke and then Tottenham. TEAMtalk Prediction - 17th

Portsmouth (17th)

Portsmouth are another team facing a big six-pointer this weekend, at Middlesbrough, and a run of one win in 12 will not fill the Fratton Park faithful with hope.

Their run-in is not too bad, but home fixtures against West Brom and Bolton must be won if they are to survive. Trips to Hull, Newcastle and Blackburn could prove crucial, too.

Paul Hart has been handed the managerial reigns until the end of the season and that much-needed stability, plus a squad containing the likes of Peter Crouch, Niko Kranjcar and Jermaine Pennant, should keep them up. TEAMtalk Prediction - 16th

Blackburn (18th)

Blackburn looked like certainties for the drop under Paul Ince but Sam Allardyce's appointment has proved a wise one with Rovers losing just two league games since he took over.

A few too many draws has kept them firmly in trouble but the Lancashire side will be confident of picking up enough points at Ewood Park with the likes of Wigan, Portsmouth and West Brom yet to travel there.

Roque Santa Cruz, El-Hadji Diouf, Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts offer Allardyce decent options up front and his rigid formation means they have shorn up at the back too. TEAMtalk Prediction - 15th

Middlesbrough (19th)

Boro were hammered 4-0 in their last outing at Tottenham but their performances have improved of late. The previous league game saw them beat Liverpool 2-0 and that was preceded by an FA Cup win over West Ham, so confidence in the camp may not be too badly hit by the game at White Hart Lane, in which they actually played well.

Their next five fixtures are all winnable but much could depend on what they do against Portsmouth this weekend. Three points would give them confidence and possibly take them out of the relegation zone, but defeat could see them cast adrift with West Brom.

Gareth Southgate will be hoping Stewart Downing can keep up his good form, but Tuncay and Afonso Alves will have to find some more goals or Boro will go. TEAMtalk Prediction - 19th

West Brom (20th)

Albion still talk about their Great Escape from 2005 but even their staunchest fans have given up hope of a repeat this season. Their style of play has earned them plenty of praise but few points, and just one point from their last 18 has effectively sealed their fate.

Home games against the likes of Bolton, Stoke and Sunderland offer the chance to pick up a few points but they could need 18 points, just four short of what they have now, to survive. TEAMtalk Prediction - 20th

[Twitchyarry]

West Brom, Middlesborough and Newcastle to go down.

Away wins are going to be very hard to come by and Newcastle have the toughest games at home, they will be the suprise drop. Hull will also come really really close after a great start to the season.

[Dr. Wankenstein]

I would love it, just love it if Newcastle went down!!

[SpursOnTheRise]

I would love it, just love it if Newcastle went down!!

[delfino_1936]

I would love it, just love it if tottenham went down!!

[The Joker]

I would love it, just love it if LIVERPOOL, CHELSEA & ARSENAL went down!!

lol

[totsreds08]

I would love it, just love it if tottenham went down!!

[ForzaChievo]

Hope Newcastle stay up.



























































And Tottenham go down.

[Missing Post Count]

Hope Newcastle stay up.

I hope newcastle go down. Actually wished they would have gone down whilst alan shíthead was at the club.

[chelsea91]

West Brom, Blackburn and Middlesborough

[sparrow]

Hope Newcastle stay up.

I hope newcastle go down. Actually wished they would have gone down whilst alan shíthead was at the club.

Why?

[Missing Post Count]

The way they handled that FA Cup tie against Stevenage Borough all those years ago.
"We're a big club and we demand the tie be switched to st james's park" after Borough did the unthinkable thing and decide to keep their home tie.

[Fenerbahçe]

Good bye Middlesbrough, good bye Tuncay.

Good luck in the pepsi premier league.

[ComeOnYouBlues]

Good bye Middlesbrough, good bye Tuncay.

Good luck in the pepsi premier league.

Championship > turkish notsosuper league

thanks.

[Fenerbahçe]

Championship > turkish notsosuper league

thanks.

Also agree.

Corrupted would've been better though.

FENERBAHCE. thanks.

[Lilly Whites]

look for West Ham or Wigan to sign Tuncay.

[Fenerbahçe]

lol, getting worse and worse for boro hopefully i can see them relegate and tuncay play for them in the pepsi league

[Twitchyarry]

West Brom, Middlesborough and Newcastle to go down.

Away wins are going to be very hard to come by and Newcastle have the toughest games at home, they will be the suprise drop. Hull will also come really really close after a great start to the season.

Looking the goods so far,
@ Bodo's comment wishing that Newcastle went down when SHearer was at the club....... dreams cancome true.

[Fenerbahçe]

apparently tuncay has a release clause of 8m pounds if boro relegate and galatasaray are rumoured to sign him.

[The Joker]

West Brom, Middlesbrough and Newcastle to go I reckon.

[cyclone]

WEST BROM r gone but how funny would it have been if:

sunderland, middlesborough and newcastle were 2 go down!

[Missing Post Count]

@ Bodo's comment wishing that Newcastle went down when SHearer was at the club....... dreams cancome true.

[Missing Post Count]

@ Bodo's comment wishing that Newcastle went down when SHearer was at the club....... dreams cancome true.

Dreams do come true.

[Total 90]

Newcastle, Boro and West Brom Down

[ruud]

wow!!!!

you would think a team with: Owen, Duff, Martins, Butt, Ameobi, Viduka, Nolan and Smith

would be good enough to stay in the EPL!!!

[Covscum]

get ready for the mass clean out at newcastle. Owens on over 100k (pounds) a week and 15 others over 50k a week. They'll all be gone.

[LeicesterCity]

Hope Newcastle stay up.

I hope newcastle go down. Actually wished they would have gone down whilst alan shíthead was at the club.

Why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss_7WGYa9nQ

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

After 16 years in the top flight, Newcastle United will play their football in the Championship next season after Damien Duff's own goal ensured relegation from the Premier League.

The Irish winger deflected in Gareth Barry's 20-yard shot seven minutes before the break at Villa Park meaning Alan Shearer's mission to save the Magpies from the drop ended in heartbreaking fashion.

They will be joined in the Championship by North East neighbours Middlesbrough after goals from West Ham duo Carlton Cole and Junior Stanislas consigned Boro to a 2-1 defeat at Upton Park.

Despite going down to a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea, Sunderland maintained their top flight status thanks to results elsewhere. Nicolas Anelka got his name on the scoresheet for the visitors ensuring he finishes above Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.

Elsewhere, second-placed Liverpool recorded a 3-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield thanks to goals from Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and an o.g from Alan Hutton.

Leon Osman secured fifth place for Everton after a goal in each half gave the Toffees a 2-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Robin van Persie bagged a brace in Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Stoke City at the Emirates, while Felipe Caicedo's 8th-minute strike at Eastlands was enough for Manchester City to beat Bolton.

Hugo Rodallega's goal in the 26th minute saw Wigan sign off with a win over Portsmouth, while the only real talking point of the goalless draw between Blackburn and West Brom at Ewood Park was the sending off of Jason Roberts for an elbow on Baggies defender Jonas Olsson.

goodluck an goodbye to all the toons an its supporters from EPL.

SAD!!

[povman_2009]

Well the excitement was there right to the death, I love the fact that all the games are played at the same time, the ground announcements of goals at other games brings groans of despair or shouts of delight depending on which way the ball bounces...

Newcastle set a record for the highest home ground attendance for a relegated team , averaging over 48K per week, will be interesting to see if they Championship holds as much pulling power for the club next season...

Props to Stoke who were early season favourites to go straight down, they finished a creditable 12th in their first year back in the big league, although I will never forgive them for having the hide to take 4 points off Liverpool in two games, thus rendering our title shot futile once more.

[E. Grant & Co]

Well the excitement was there right to the death, I love the fact that all the games are played at the same time, the ground announcements of goals at other games brings groans of despair or shouts of delight depending on which way the ball bounces...

Newcastle set a record for the highest home ground attendance for a relegated team , averaging over 48K per week, will be interesting to see if they Championship holds as much pulling power for the club next season...

Props to Stoke who were early season favourites to go straight down, they finished a creditable 12th in their first year back in the big league, although I will never forgive them for having the hide to take 4 points off Liverpool in two games, thus rendering our title shot futile once more.

One thing you can guarantee is that the TOONS will support their club no matter where they play.

Both happy and sad for them. It does prove one thing though, there are no guarantees of EPL status for anybody. Be good to see Man U and Pool join them down there.