More twists and turns occurred in the Premier League relegation battle on Tuesday night.
Four of the nine teams currently at risk of dropping to the Championship come May were in action but only Leeds United managed to claim victory.
Javi Gracia’s men claimed a 2-1 win against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest at Elland Road, climbing out of the relegation zone and up to 13th as a result.
READ MORE: Full West Ham squad available for Premier League clash against Newcastle with confirmed absentee
Elsewhere, Bournemouth dropped into the bottom three after a 2-0 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion, whereas managerless Leicester City remained 19th following their 2-1 defeat at home against Aston Villa.
West Ham United, who climbed out of the relegation zone at the weekend following a 1-0 win against bottom club Southampton, dropped one place to 15th due to Leeds’ vital win.
But David Moyes’ side have the chance to climb three places tonight if they claim victory against a Newcastle United team chasing a spot in the Champions League next season.
The Hammers are currently on 27 points and have the advantage of two games in-hand over their relegation rivals, but victory would put them level on 30 points with 12th-placed Crystal Palace who have an inferior goal difference.
But distancing themselves from the relegation battle in the next few weeks is not going to be easy for the London club. In their next four games, West Ham face Fulham (away), league leaders Arsenal at home then relegation rivals Bournemouth (away) following tonight’s clash against the Magpies at the London Stadium.
The average position of the Hammers next four opponents is 8th, but it is not a tougher run compared to some of their rivals. Nottingham Forest have the unfortunate task of facing sides currently occupying 5th to 8th in the table in their next four games, whereas Everton have the second toughest run of games.
Crystal Palace, who claimed their first victory of 2023 against fellow strugglers Leicester City at the weekend, are expected to build a gap to the bottom three with an easier run compared to their rivals. Roy Hodgson’s Eagles’ toughest opponent will be 13th Leeds on Sunday (April), while the three games that follow are against opponents currently sitting lower in the table.
Here is a look at current bottom nine’s next four fixtures and how they compare to their nearest rivals fighting to avoid relegation.
12th Crystal Palace (P29, 30 pts)
Apr 9 – Leeds United (a) – 13th
Apr 15 – Southampton (a) – 20th
Apr 22 – Everton (h) – 16th
Apr 25 – Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) – 14th
Average position of opponents: 15.75 (Easiest)
13th Leeds United (P29, 29 pts)
Apr 9 – Crystal Palace (h) 12th
Apr 17 – Liverpool (h) 8th
Apr 22 – Fulham (a) 10th
Apr 25 – Leicester City (h) 19th
Average position of opponents: 12.25 (4th easiest)
14th Wolverhampton Wanderers (P29, 28 pts)
Apr 8 – Chelsea (h) 11th
Apr 15 – Brentford (h) 9th
Apr 22 – Leicester City (a) 19th
Apr 25 – Crystal Palace (h) 12th
Average position of opponents: 12.75 (3rd easiest)
15th West Ham United (P27, 27 pts)
Apr 5 – Newcastle United (h) 3rd
Apr 8 – Fulham (a) 10th
Apr 16 – Arsenal (h) 1st
Apr 23 – Bournemouth (a) 18th
Average position of opponents: 8 (3rd toughest)
16th Everton (P29, 27 pts)
Apr 8 – Manchester United (h) 5th
Apr 15 – Fulham (h) 10th
Apr 22 – Crystal Palace (a) 12th
Apr 27 – Newcastle United (h) 3rd
Average position of opponents: 7.5 (2nd toughest)
17th Nottingham Forest (P29, 27 pts)
Apr 8 – Aston Villa (a) 7th
Apr 16 – Manchester United (h) 5th
Apr 22 – Liverpool (a) 8th
Apr 26 – Brighton (h) 6th
Average position of opponents: 6.5 (Toughest)
18th Bournemouth (P29, 27 pts)
Apr 8 – Leicester City (a) 19th
Apr 15 – Tottenham Hotspur (a) 4th
Apr 23 – West Ham United (h) 15th
Apr 27 – Southampton (a) 20th
Average position of opponents: 14.5 (2nd easiest)
19th Leicester City (P29, 25 pts)
Apr 8 – Bournemouth (h) 18th
Apr 15 – Manchester City (a) 2nd
Apr 22 – Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) 14th
Apr 25 – Leeds United (a) 13th
Average position of opponents: 11.75
20th Southampton (P29, 23 pts)
Apr 8 – Manchester City (h) 2nd
Apr 15 – Crystal Palace (h) 12th
Apr 21 – Arsenal (a) 1st
Apr 27 – Bournemouth (h) 18th
Average position of opponents: 8.25 (4th toughest)
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