It is that time of the year again and Football Point takes a look at the teams in danger of a relegation fight with just eight games remaining. It is one of the tightest battles for years and even teams like Stoke and Everton are not entirely safe.
Wigan: Martinez can get credit for trying to play football the right way but the results have not come for his side. The Birmingham game will be a must-win if Wigan are to stand a chance. Odds to go down: 1/4
Wolves: Showing fighting spirit lately, including wins over Man U and an unlucky draw against Spurs. Fixtures remaining involve games against fellow relegation strugglers so a few wins could ensure survival again. 11/10
West Ham: Has been playing well since December but unable to get out of the bottom three all season. Great wins over Liverpool and Stoke but have a diabolical fixture list with games against Spurs, United, Chelsea and City. Will need to get points in one of the big games but recent form is promising. 6/4
Birmingham: Stunned everybody by beating Arsenal in the Carling Cup. It was a fluke goal but they managed to end their 48 year trophy-drought. However, it cannot still hide the fact that Premier League form has not been good. The home defeat to West Brom is a case in point and they need to refocus quickly if they are to save their Premier League status. 11/4
Blackburn: In free-fall as the Indian owners are realising (perhaps too late) that Steve Kean does not have the experience to guide them to safety. Has lost 4 in their last six and with fixtures against Arsenal, City and United left, it is not looking good. 11/4
WBA: Replaced Di Matteo with Hodgson in a desperate attempt to halt the poor results of the last three months. Big win at Birmingham and on-loan Arsenal striker Vela could prove the key. Also have Liverpool, Arsenal , Chelsea and Spurs as tough games left. It won´t be easy but they might scrape through. 15/8
Blackpool: Took the league by storm but Holloway has perhaps been guilty of believing his own hype, with attacks on both Houllier and Dalglish in January. Needs to keep focus but just two wins since December has added to the gloom at the club. 10/11
Stoke: Pulis is also another one who likes to blow his own trumpet and boasted that safety was already achieved in December. But a poor run of four points in the last six games mean that they are living dangerously. The football on show has also made the club the Premiership least favourite club. 14/1
Newcastle : Most people never understood the decision to replace Houghton with Pardew. Results have deteriorated under Pardew but Houghton may have done just enough to get the points to save Newcastle. 25/1
Everton: Moyes may have just saved Everton again even though the fans have realised that lack of investment have meant that Moyes is struggling to take the club to a different level. Odds of 50/1 are generous given their very small squad. Fans are questionning Moyes and the pressure is getting to him.
