West Ham United have a long wait before returning to Premier League action following their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
The Hammers’ point at the London Stadium against the Villans saw them climb out of the relegation zone up to 17th, but only on goal difference, missing the chance to go up to 14th and two points clear of the drop zone.
Due to the FA Cup, West Ham ’s scheduled trip to Manchester City this Sunday has been postponed, meaning David Moyes’ side will not return to action in England’s top-flight for another 19 days, when they host current bottom side Southampton.
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With the bottom of the table so tight, for the Hammers, on paper at least, their fears of getting relegated are likely to worsen before they have any chance of improving.
Of the three sides below the Irons, Bournemouth (18th), Leeds United (19th) and Saints (20th) all play at least once in the Premier League before West Ham are next in action in England’s top-flight.
Bournemouth, only behind West Ham on goal difference, play once before the Hammers’ next league game against Saints, hosting European hopefuls just under 24 hours before the bottom of the table clash.
Leeds and Southampton, who sit a point and two points off West Ham respectively, both play twice before West Ham host Saints, having two opportunities to over take the Hammers before they next play.
However, West Ham could potentially be boosted by Leicester City’s matches ahead of West Ham’s league return. The Foxes are above West Ham in the table on goal difference, but only by one single goal.
Before the Hammers return to action, Leicester head to London twice to face Brentford and Crystal Palace. Should Brendan Rodgers’ side lose in both matches, West Ham will climb above them on goal difference, without even having to play.
Unless West Ham pull off a sheer fluke, they are near enough guaranteed to drop to at least 18th, if not all of the way to the bottom of the table before they next play, meaning West Ham’s position simply will look worse in the table before they have chance to make it better.
Of their 24 league points this season, 18 (75%) have been picked up at home, averaging two points per home match in 2023 so far. However, of their final six home league games, four come against Newcastle United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.
West Ham will look to cash in on their improved home form when they play Southampton and Newcastle at home within just over 72 hours of each other in the first week of April.
Unless West Ham act fast on the pitch in getting results more improved, they could find themselves in serious trouble in the final weeks of the season.
Bottom five’s Premier League fixtures before West Ham United vs Southampton on Sunday, April 2 :
Wednesday, March 15 - Southampton (20th) vs Brentford
Saturday, March 18 - Brentford vs Leicester City (16th)
Saturday, March 18 - Southampton (20th) vs Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday, March 18 - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Leeds United (19th)
Saturday, April 1 - Bournemouth (18th) vs Fulham
Saturday, April 1 - Crystal Palace vs Leicester City (16th)
Saturday, April 1 - Arsenal vs Leeds United (19th)
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