With Sheffield United dropping back down to the Championship, three teams are in the battle to avoid relegation. Chris Wilder’s Blades’ hopes was survival were swiftly diminished by Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, who pummelled them 5-1.
The return of Wilder, who replaced Paul Heckingbottom in December 2023. He did no favours to the team. They have lost 16 matches including two 5-0 defeats, and 6-0 pummelling to Arsenal.
The South Yorkshire side have conceded three goals or more on five occasions. This has also contributed to their downfall in this League.
The Blades boss gave his compliments to the fans and is confident of finding a way back to the top tier next season following relegation from the Premier League.
“The best part of the football club is those people up in that stand that stayed right the way until the end and have seen a lot of poor football this season, and they’ve travelled, and they’ve earned their money and they’ve been there and supported us.
“Rightly so they’ve walked out on games, in games that I’ve been managed as well, and I’ve got absolutely no issue about that because it hasn’t been good enough but it will be good enough next year.
Wilder: Sheffield United Way
Sheffield United have conceded a total of 97 goals. That is three less than Swindon Town who hold the record, with 100 in a season in 1993/94.
They will be playing for pride in their three remaining games against Nottingham Forest, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
So, it is now a three-way battle in the race to avoid relegation.
Nottingham Forest
Forest had a positive start under Nuno Espirito Santo, winning two of their first three games under the Portuguese.
However, in their next 15 games, they have collected just 11 out of a possible 45 points.
And although they fought valiantly on Sunday, they were unable to pick up points at home to Manchester City, who beat them 2-0.
The East Midlands club are a point outside the relegation zone and have played the same number of games as Burnley and Luton.
They have been on the end of some harsh decisions by VAR, and the Forest Boss had no hesitation in sharing his views on it.
“My personal feeling is about referees not taking decisions on the pitch. They were doing it before so they should do it again and then comes VAR, not the other way around. The other way around is a huge mistake for the game.
When it came, I supported it but maybe, one day not much ahead of us, we will say football was better before VAR because it’s been a mess.”
Espirito Santo: BBC Sport
Sheffield United, Chelsea, and Burnley are the last three fixtures of their season, and you would imagine that they would be looking for six points from those games.
Can Nuno inspire a late revival for Forest to stay in the Premier League?
Burnley
Two months ago, Vincent Kompany’s Clarets were almost certain to drop back down to the Championship.
However, just two defeats in their last eight games have given them a small chance of survival.
And the late penalty at Old Trafford may just be the spark they need, to fight for another season in the Premier League.
The Burnley Boss is confident that his side will give it one last push.
“For us, the biggest thing is can we give ourselves a game against Forest where we have something to look forward to. We don’t need much more. We just want that opportunity on that one day.
Kompany: Burnley Express
Newcastle United, Spurs, and Forest are The Clarets’ final three season fixtures.
You would think that they would need to win all three to have a realistic chance of survival, but that is also dependent on how Forest and Luton Town fare in their remaining games.
Can Kompany’s Clarets provide a great escape?
Luton Town
The Hatters are another team who are on the fringes of relation.
Currently a point behind Forest, Luke Edwards’s side will be determined to do anything it takes to remain in the League
“There’s a number of (players) that have had to fight and scrap and work so hard to be here,” said Edwards. “They don’t want to give that up easily. They’re showing that belief.
Edwards: BEIN Sports
Luton has taken just three points from the last 14 games, and they will need to muster all the courage to get anything out of the last three games.
Everton, West Ham and Fulham are their three remaining games
Even though the Merseyside club are mathematically safe, you can assume that Sean Dyche’s Toffees will make it an uncomfortable Friday night at Kenilworth Road.
However, Edwards’s side did beat them in the FA Cup Fourth Round, with a 2-1 victory.
They also won the reverse Premier League fixture at Goodison Park, via the same score.
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But you can be sure that despite facing West Ham and Fulham in their last two games, the next game may be the game that decides their fate for next season.
Who will survive as the Premier League reaches its climax?
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
