March 19, England:
With the 20/21 Premier League season on the verge of ending, teams like Brighton, Fulham, and Newcastle fight for their survival in the league.
Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion have certified their position to go back down to the Championship next season.
Can Brighton Survive?
Brighton’s xPts and xG are so impressive that you would think they are in a Europa League spot.
But because of poor finishing from their striker Maupey and being poor defensively, they are currently battling for relegation.
They are just 3 points above Fulham with one game less played. Before facing Manchester City, Fulham had conceded just 2 goals in their last 7 games.
Now, Brighton has to improve massively if they hope to survive in the league, as they face stiff competition from Fulham, who has completely rejuvenated themselves.
What they currently need is a good run of performance, especially from their striker, Maupey. He is the only proper striker that they have on this team, which is somewhat shocking.
They have just won one of their last five matches, and if they want to survive this season in the league, they will have to dig every bit of form they have.
Along with that, they will have to perform at the level they were expected at the start of the season.
Brighton will host Newcastle United on the 21st of March. This game will be crucial for both teams if they want to survive this season.
Can Anyone Save Sheffield United?
Among the 20 teams in the league, Sheffield has had the worst season so far. They are currently at the bottom of the table with just 14 points after 29 games.
It is somewhat sure that they will go back down to the Championship next season.
Having lost their long-time manager, Chris Wilder, the whole team has recently had a dip in their performance, which shows in their games.
Over the course of the last 8 weeks, they have just scored 3 goals while simultaneously conceded 15, among which they conceded 5 goals in a single match against Leicester City.
These goals scored to conceded ratio is the lowest in the league.
The Blades’ only viable option is to go back down to the Championship and start a rebuilding season.
They are in desperate need of strikers who can bag them goals and simultaneously good defenders who can be rock solid at the back.
What’s Happening At West Brom?
West Bromwich Albion, one of the highly sorted clubs in England, is currently second to last in the English Premier League, with just 18 points.
They are on the brink of getting relegated back down to the Championship.
In their last eight games, they have scored just two goals and have conceded seven goals.
With these stats, they have won just once and lost four times in the span of eight game-weeks.
In the 29 games in the Premier League, West Brom has won just three and lost seventeen.
This is the second-most loss in the league after Sheffield United, who have twenty-three.
West Brom, although they have some decent young strikers, their lack of form and clinical finishing this season has prevented The Baggies from bagging goals.
Not just with strikers, they lack serious creativity in their midfield. Although they brought in Ainsley-Maitland Niles from Arsenal on loan, he alone hasn’t shown his true form in this team.
Sam Allardyce’s men will travel to Stamford Bridge on the 3rd of April, right after the International Break, to face the undefeated, rock-solid defensive team of Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea.
There is little to no hope for West Brom to stay up this season, but this is Premier League; there is no guarantee until the end of the season.
Will Newcastle United Go Down? Or Will They Stay Up?
The Magpies currently are fighting a relegation battle with teams like Brighton and Fulham.
They have a total of 28 points and are 17th in the league table.
In the last 8 games, they have won just two and have lost thrice while drawing the remaining three.
The number of points and the number of goals scored of Newcastle are actually the same, that is 28.
They are just two points above Fulham, one of their fiercest rivals in a relegation battle this season.
Steve Bruce’s side is one of the most underrated. Due to a lack of proper finishing and creativity in the squad, they face the horrific chance of going back down to the Championship.
This side hasn’t gone down back to the second-tier of English football since 2016 and are planning on keeping the record that way.
They will face Brighton on the 21st of March. This game will take us one step closer to see who will be relegated.
However, it is doubtful for them to remain afloat in the top flight with their recent performance as Fulham is in better form and has a slight advantage over others in the battle.
If players like Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, and Jamal Lewis can perform at their peak until the end of the season, there is hope for The Magpies to remain in the Premier League for one more season.
Is There Hope For Fulham This Season?
Fulham FC, who are currently 18th in the league, faces a serious challenge in their survival this season.
Out of twenty-one points available in their last seven games, they have come out with eleven by even beating teams like Everton and Liverpool in their own stadiums.
Compared to other teams fighting for survival, Fulham has scored more and conceded less and is getting back on the form, which they showed the previous season to get promoted back to the Premier League.
Apart from Brighton, if we look at other teams, Fulham has the better xG and xPts this season, and with this recent resurgence, they look like the team all the fans were hoping for.
Based on recent statistics, this Scott Parker’s side currently has created more than 110 chances in their home games, which is higher than teams like Tottenham, Arsenal, Leicester City, and Everton.
Creating chances is just not enough to win a match. They should be converted, which this Fulham side hasn’t done properly.
However, after recent performances, the Cottagers are actually getting better and better in converting their chances into goals.
Also Read: Will Fulham Find Consistency?
Fulham will face Leeds United on the 19th of March, 2021. If they can perform as expected, then Leeds are sure to get in some trouble.
Will There Be Any Drama At The End?
This is Premier League, and this league is full of drama and suspense right till the end.
No one will be safe until the 38th game of the season and every game from now on will be full of drama and excitement.
Let’s see what will happen. Who will stay up? Who will go down? It’s all in the hands of the teams fighting the battle.
