English Premier League – Who will go down?

May 19, 2011
By: Frank Beresford

With one more game to go before the Premiership season ends, no less than five teams are still very much involved in the relegation battle, whereas West Ham have lost all chances to stay up. We look at who’s got the best chances to stay alive.

Blackburn Rovers (40 points, goal difference -14) sit one point clear of the bottom three after picking one point from the Manchester United game and they are away to Wolves on Sunday. Seeing that Rovers have a superior goal difference to Mick McCarthy’s side, all they need is pick up one point from Molineux to stay up.

One point would mean nothing if Wigan, Blackpool and Birmingham all win their games but since that is highly unlikely to happen, Rovers are just 1.06 (1/16) with 888Sport to stay up.

However, since they can easily get relegated by losing at Molineux, I am really surprised that Blackburn are as high as 13.00 (12/1) with Paddy Power to go down.

Wolverhampton (40 points, goal difference -19) are also one point clear of the relegation zone, meaning that a victory over Blackburn would guarantee them survival, while one point would be enough provided at least two of the teams below them in the standings don’t win their games.

Wolves are 1.10 (1/10) with Paddy Power to stay up, whereas they are 9.00 (8/1) with William Hill to get relegated.

Birmingham City (39 points, goal difference -20) are the first team above the relegation zone, meaning they should be able to keep their Premiership status with a win at White Hart Lane, although that looks easier said than done.

The Blues can also avoid the drop if Blackpool and Wigan don’t better their result on Sunday, with William Hill paying 2.20 (6/5) on Brum to stay up. Alex McLeish’s side are 1.73 (8/11) with Sportingbet to drop to the second division.

Blackpool (39 points, goal difference -21) remained in the relegation zone despite the victory over Bolton and the Tangerines probably face the toughest task of them all seeing they are away to Manchester United in the final round of the season.

Therefore, it is little wonder Ian Holloway’s side are odds-on favourites to go down, with the price on Betfair 1.40 (2/5). However, they are 3.40 (12/5) with 888Sport to avoid the drop.

Wigan (39 points, goal difference -22) are away to Stoke City on Sunday and since the Latics would probably clinch survival with a win at Britannia Stadium, the odds of 2.10 (11/10) offered by Bet365 on Wigan to avoid relegation do look tempting.

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