Chris Sutton believes that West Ham United are among the sides in “real trouble” amid the Premier League relegation battle.
The former Chelsea striker had his say on the fight to avoid the drop after Leeds United were thrashed 6-1 by Liverpool a day after the Hammers picked up a vital point against Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
West Ham are currently 15th in the table with 31 points from 30 games and four points clear of the bottom three who have all played a game more than David Moyes’ side.
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However, Sutton points out that that game in-hand on Wednesday, May 3, is against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City who are unbeaten in their last 14 matches, winning 12 of them.
“I think West Ham downwards are in real trouble,” Sutton told BBC Radio Five Live. “I think Everton have a really tough run-in and are starting to lose it a bit.
“I look at Leicester and I think they have generous fixtures, but they can’t keep a clean sheet. Southampton are down already whereas Leeds are in freefall.
“Nottingham Forest don’t score away, they have to start picking up points and they have a tricky fixture list. Everyone forgets West Ham’s game in hand is against Manchester City.”
Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth, three sides who have also been among those at risk of relegation in recent months, managed to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone at the weekend.
Palace have now won three in a row under Roy Hodgson following their 2-0 win against bottom side Southampton, whereas Wolves and Bournemouth claimed victory against Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Of sides currently in the bottom six, West Ham have the toughest run of next four league fixtures, with Liverpool and Manchester City among them. However, David Moyes’ men are in a better run of form compared to those below them in the table after picking up eight points from a possible 15 in their last five matches.
Leeds United have lost 5-1 and 6-1 in their last two games, both at home, against Crystal Palace and Liverpool respectively and are just two points ahead of the bottom three in 16th. Everton are clinging on to the last survival spot by goal difference, with the Toffees currently level on 27 points with Nottingham Forest in 18th.
Leicester City have picked up just one point from their last nine Premier League games and are currently 19th, whereas Southampton are bottom of the pile four points adrift from safety.
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