Such is the nature of life in a relegation battle at this advanced stage of the season, depending on results this weekend, Everton could kick off their game with Brentford back in the drop zone or potentially have secured their Premier League status by full-time. Here’s a look at Sunday’s permutations for Frank Lampard’s side and where it could leave them going into the final week of the campaign. Everton can mathematically still catch all the clubs as high as Leicester City in 10 th but realistically their chances of overhauling the Foxes appear remote given that not only would they have to win all three of their remaining fixtures with Brendan Rodgers’ side losing all of theirs, they’d also need a swing of 15 in the goal difference column.
All of Crystal Palace (Played 35, 44 points, goal difference +4); Aston Villa (P35 43pts gd -1); Brentford (P36, 43 pts, gd -8); Newcastle United (P36 43pts, gd -21) and Southampton (P36 40pts, gd -20) above the Blues remain in their sights with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints who have lost three out of their last four matches looking the most likely rival they could reel in. However, it is those over Everton’s shoulder who remain of greatest interest at this stage when it comes to ensuring the club does not suffer its first relegation in 71 years.
Here’s how the table currently stands
Burnley kick-off first with a high noon trip to north London to face Tottenham Hotspur. Although the Clarets picked up 10 points in their first four games under caretaker boss Mike Jackson, Aston Villa ended their ‘new manager bounce’ in emphatic fashion last weekend with a 3-1 victory at Turf Moor. This looks like a daunting trip for Burnley given that Spurs are determined to leapfrog neighbours Arsenal for a top four spot and Champions League qualification – Thursday’s 3-0 derby win over the Gunners took them to within a point of their local rivals – and the Clarets have never won a Premier League away game against them.
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Leeds United, who have lost their last three matches, then host Brighton & Hove Albion, who have won their last two, including a 4-0 romp against Manchester United in their most-recent game, at 2pm. If both Burnley and Leeds were to win, it would place Everton into the relegation zone by the time their home fixture with Brentford kicks off at 4:30pm but again, past results between these sides as well as current form seems to bode well for the Blues.
Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion have only ever met three times in Premier League fixtures and as well as only taking a single point from those trio of meetings, the Yorkshiremen have so far failed to score a single goal. Everton know that if Leeds United fail to win this weekend then a victory for themselves against the Bees at Goodison Park would confirm their top status for a 120 th season.
