Skysports.com examines the survival chances of the 10 clubs battling the Premier League drop.
Skysports.com examines the survival chances of the 10 clubs battling relegation in the Premier League
With 10 games remaining in the season, the drama is increasing at the foot of the table as a host of sides battle to save their Premier League skins.
For the majority of the campaign it has appeared that any side from seventh place down could be in danger of dropping into the Championship and as 24th May draws ever closer, the tension is only increasing.
The likes of Fulham, Wigan and Manchester City appear to have moved away from trouble as the trio hold positions in the top half of the table and are within touching distance of the theoretically safe 40-point mark.
However, there remain 10 sides nervously sweating in the bottom section of the division. Reporter
Peter Fraser casts an eye over the strengths and weaknesses of each club as they attempt to stay in the best league in Europe.
Blackburn
Why they'll survive: The replacement of former boss Paul Ince with Sam Allardyce shortly before Christmas could prove vital.
Allardyce has been there, done it, and got the T-shirt in the Premier League and was considered for the England job a few years ago.
That managerial familiarity and a rough-and-ready, up-for-the fight, approach are key when points are all that matter.
Keeping hold of star striker Roque Santa Cruz in the winter transfer window was a shrewd move and the Paraguayan appears to be prepared to fight for the cause ahead of a probable summer switch to Manchester City.
A stalemate with in-form Everton, involving a host of missed chances, on Wednesday epitomised what Allardyce's sides are about, while a chance to take points at Stoke and at home to West Brom on the final day will be welcomed.
Why they won't: Blackburn are facing one of the toughest run-ins at the bottom of the table as trips to Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea loom large.
Falling Ewood Park gates is never encouraging when support is needed, but that is a reflection of the football on show.
Allardyce is heralded for the role he performed at Bolton, but his time at Newcastle failed to live up to expectations and his long-ball approach can, at times, be found out.
Home form is a concern as only three wins have been secured this season, an unenviable statistic only matched by Hull City.
The likes of Paul Robinson, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Benni McCarthy and El-Hadji Diouf should be star performers, but have lacked consistency, and the one-time Premier League champions could again be set to discover you are never too big to go down.
Star man: Roque Santa Cruz is a class act, demonstrating why Manchester City are chasing his signature, and the former Bayern Munich forward will provide goals if he remains committed and injury free.
Predicted finish: 14th
SKY BET odds to go down: 5/1
Bolton
Why they'll survive: The Trotters know what is required in relegation fights and look to have the knowhow over their foes.
Gary Megson recently put pen-to-paper on a rolling contract indicating that, despite his unpopularity in some quarters, the Reebok Stadium hierarchy are impressed.
Megson suits Bolton and has the club playing in a style which should see a return to the Championship avoided.
Jussi Jaaskelainen is a top notch goalkeeper, while Matthew Taylor is an influence in midfield and striker Kevin Davies is a pain in the neck for opposing defences.
The days of chasing a spot in Europe are long gone, however, eleventh-placed Bolton still appear to have enough to avoid the drop, despite Wednesday's setback at Stoke.
A run of three defeats in four games to Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United at the end of December and into January also gives the league a slightly harsh slant.
Why they won't: Having rediscovered their balance following the above trio of defeats, Bolton are still struggling to decide on a run of form - a win is usually followed by a draw or a defeat, and losing points to rivals, such as Stoke, would not be on the itinerary.
Megson also has his critics for a reason. Bolton can be a little one-dimensional and when that is navigated by an opponent, options become limited.
The Trotters defence is prone to an occasional lapse in concentration and if injuries hit a paper-thin squad, there could be in trouble.
Star man: Kevin Davies. The muscular striker has been a threat in the Premier League for years and continues to trouble the very best.
Predicted finish: 12th
SKY BET odds to go down: 12/1
Hull City
Why they'll survive: The Tigers made a flying start to their first season in the Premier League and looked set to be the perennial, newly-promoted side who upset the established order.
That explosive opening to the campaign is the reason why Phil Brown's men stand a chance of enjoying a second season in England's top flight.
Up and until a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea at the end of October, City occupied a position in and around the top six, affording the current lifestyle of a millionaire who has money or, in this case points, to burn in the battle to survive.
Anyone knows that it is better to have points on the board than be chasing others, and the impressive start owed a lot to the form of the temperamental, but gifted, Geovanni, who remains the key.
Wednesday's 1-0 win over defensively-sound Fulham will have raised hopes and stopped the rot of 11 league games without glory.
Why they won't: The aforementioned dip in form has seen City's aspirations towards shock, European football morph into a genuine fear of an immediate return to the Championship following 2007/08's play-off final victory.
The overall statistics read as two wins in 19 league games and Brown has discovered who is up for the fight and who is not.
Geovanni upset his manager with a rant following his recent substitution against Blackburn, and that is exactly the sort of in-house fighting the Tigers could do without.
Home fortresses are sought after in the closing stages, but City have won only three times at the KC Stadium ahead of tricky matches against Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester United - who, City will be hoping, arrive in East Yorkshire with the title already bagged.
The winter signing of Jimmy Bullard could also prove to be a disastrous move after City admitted that they were aware the midfielder, who has been ruled out for the season, was not fully fit when joining the club.
Star man: Geovanni. If Brown can coax the Brazilian back to his best, he has already proved he can be a hit in the Premier League.
Predicted finish: 15th
SKY BET odds to go down: 3/1
Middlesbrough
Why they'll survive: When recently defeating title-chasing Liverpool, Boro broke their almost nine-hour scoring drought and deservedly recorded a first league victory since stunning Aston Villa on 9th November.
Tuncay Sanli, Jeremie Aliadiere and Stewart Downing tore Liverpool to shreds at The Riverside and the attacking trio undoubtedly possess the ability to keep Gareth Southgate's side in the division, demonstrating what Boro have been missing when persisting with Afonso Alves.
Southgate - one of the Premier League's longest serving managers - also appears to enjoy undying faith from chairman Steve Gibson, releasing the potential 'sack' pressure that other bosses could be feeling.
Boro have Premier League experience in abundance and that should serve them well, while the club have proved they can turn it on when it counts.
Why they won't: While the win over Liverpool was impressive, Wednesday's drubbing at Tottenham was startlingly poor and epitomised season-long shortcomings.
After a bright start, Boro had premature sights on a place in the top seven, but the wheels have well and truly come up.
Alves and company badly lack goals and, depending on your point of view, Gibson could be seen to have offered Southgate an extended lease of life when the likes of Portsmouth, Tottenham and Blackburn have acted.
A final five fixtures involving trips to Arsenal, local rivals Newcastle and West Ham, accompanied by home matches with Manchester United and Aston Villa, would send a shiver down the spine of any supporters, let alone the dwindling numbers who turn out at The Riverside.
Star man: Stewart Downing is certain to leave the club before the start of 2009/10, with Tottenham a likely destination, and the Teessider will be keen to ensure he does not leave his hometown club on the back of relegation.
Predicted finish: 18th
SKY BET odds to go down: 11/8
Newcastle
Why they'll survive: An expensively assembled squad, which possess quality and experience in abundance and is backed by passionate support should be enough.
While there is the 'too big to go down' adage, a Magpies team which contains the likes of Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Damien Duff should be well equipped to survive.
And when other sets of fans may throw in the towel and accept defeat, the Newcastle faithful will never allow their players to offer anything less than 100 per cent.
Newcastle's squad was assembled with plans to move back towards the European places under former boss Kevin Keegan and, on paper, it should steer well clear of relegation.
There is also the chance to directly influence the results of relegation rivals as the final 10 fixtures serve up matches against Hull City, Stoke, Tottenham and Portsmouth.
Why they won't: Newcastle seem unable to avoid self destructing. A season, which began with such optimism under Keegan has served up unbelievable drama.
Keegan resigned and was replaced by Joe Kinnear, who is now recovering from heart surgery as Chris Hughton is left in caretaker charge, while owner Mike Ashley announced he was to sell the club amidst protests against his reign, only to then backtrack after failing to find a buyer. You could not make it up and no club could maintain stability under that whirlwind.
Meanwhile, on the field, injuries have ravaged the Magpies as Owen and Martins have spent time on the sidelines, and Newcastle lost to Manchester United on Wednesday when missing Barton, Danny Guthrie, Nicky Butt and the suspended Kevin Nolan.
The opportunity to upset Hull et al will be welcomed, but the flip side is that defeats could spell trouble.
They are also preparing for the toughest final set of fixtures as Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea lie in wait, to name a few, before a final day trip to Aston Villa.
Star man: Michael Owen. If the forward can regain full match fitness he is a world class finisher.
Predicted finish: 17th
SKY BET odds to go down: 15/8
Portsmouth
Why they'll survive: After the disastrous reign of Tony Adams, caretaker boss Paul Hart and assistant Brian Kidd have steadied the ship on the South Coast.
Since Adams left at the start of February, seventeenth-placed Pompey have recorded one win, one draw and Tuesday's far-from-disgraceful defeat to Chelsea.
There also appears to be too much experience in a Fratton Park squad which contains the likes of Croatia international Niko Kranjcar, and England striker Peter Crouch, who proved he is not afraid to get his hands dirty when scoring six goals in the final 10 games with relegation-fighting Southampton in 2005.
A vital factor could also be that England No.1 David James, Sylvain Distin, Sol Campbell and Glen Johnson, ruthless members of a rearguard which performed with aplomb when winning the FA Cup last season, remain ready for action.
An away meeting with Blackburn and a home clash with Sunderland before a concluding trip to Wigan could be decisive.
Why they won't: The damage was done during Adams' four-month tenure between October and February.
While Pompey should be applauded for offering the former Arsenal and England boss the opportunity to cut his teeth amidst a wave of support for up-and-coming British managers, the appointment was always a gamble.
Adams - whose post-match interviews tended to include more Morecambe & Wise material than clarity on spirit and tactics - picked up only 10 points during his time in charge, leaving Pompey as one of the teams playing unwelcome catch up, rather than having wins in the bag.
Losing Jermain Defoe to Tottenham in the winter transfer window was a major blow as the forward offered pace and a poacher's eye for goal, which, perhaps, Crouch, David Nugent - the club's Player of the Month for February - Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka do not.
Star man: David James. Clean sheets are essential if Premier League status is to be maintained and the goalkeeper will need to demonstrate why he is currently considered England's best.
Predicted finish: 16th
SKY BET odds to go down: 5/2
Stoke City
Why they'll survive: Tony Pulis' side play the football required to avoid the drop. Physical, strong and no nonsense, the Potters offer the polar opposite to West Brom.
Any side travelling to the Britannia Stadium is in for a rough ride and an aerial bombardment, which pushes any defence to its limits.
Abdoulaye Faye is a beast in defence, while striker James Beattie could emerge as one of the buys of the mid-season transfer window if the former Sheffield United man scores the goals to preserve top-flight status.
Stoke enjoy the best home record of any team in the bottom half of the division, having recorded seven victories - including Wednesday's win over Bolton - and with Boro, Blackburn and Newcastle still to travel to the Potteries there is reason for optimism.
Why they won't: While the in-your-face attitude of Stoke's play - which has drawn comparisons with the Wimbledon side of the 1980s - has its plus points, there are also negatives.
A Plan B is badly lacking and when opponents have the measure of Stoke's long-ball approach, a defeat is usually forthcoming.
Matthew Etherington was signed in January to try and bring some creativity to Pulis' squad but, along with the flop in form of Michael Tonge, there has been little impact.
The fixture list has been kind to Stoke when compared to rivals, but a journey to Emirates Stadium on the concluding day to face a possibly UEFA Champions League-chasing Arsenal is not ideal.
Star man: James Beattie. The former Sheffield United striker suits Stoke down to the ground (or should that be in the air?) and could prove a vital acquisition.
Predicted finish: 19th
SKY BET odds to go down: 4/5
Sunderland
Why they'll survive: Ricky Sbragia - who has done an excellent job since replacing Roy Keane in December - announced after Tuesday's defeat at Liverpool that he wants 10 more points, from the 30 available, in order to guarantee survival.
The Black Cats boss' estimation does not look too wide of the mark and it is difficult to imagine that the neccesary haul will not be collected.
Sunderland have all of their away fixtures with the 'Big Four' out of the way - although Manchester United and Chelsea, on the final day of the season, are still to travel to the North East - making it difficult to imagine that three wins and a draw cannot be found.
When both fit, Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse have formed a formidable striking partnership, which guarantees the goals others are lacking.
Centre-back Anton Ferdinand, and midfielders Dean Whitehead and Grant Leadbitter can also be relied upon for dependable performances and goalkeeper Marton Fulop, despite his gaffe at Anfield, is keeping British-record signing Craig Gordon on the bench.
Why they won't: A worrying inconsistency haunts the 14th-placed Black Cats as the club seems incapable of producing a winning run, meaning there will be concerns that a rut of defeats could be lurking around the corner.
Sbragia's inexperience at the top level could also be found out when the going gets tough and the aforementioned meeting with Chelsea on 24th May could prove devastating if things go down to the wire.
Star man: Kenwyne Jones has struggled with fitness, but the Trinidad & Tobago international remains a handful for any side and should offer the goals for survival.
Predicted finish: 13th
SKY BET odds to go down: 8/1
Tottenham
Why they'll survive: If Spurs were relegated it would, debatably, be the greatest shock in Premier League history.
At the beginning of the season Tottenham were touted as probable fifth-place material, but Juande Ramos proved why the English top-flight is often described as the hardest league in Europe.
Tottenham wisely acted to remove the Spaniard, who had arrived with a polished reputation but could not cut the mustard, and brought in Harry Redknapp.
And 'Arry had the desired rejuvenating impact at White Hart Lane, and continues to be the main weapon in Spurs' armoury.
The former Pompey boss is probably second only to Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of experience and will not fall for any old tricks in the basement dogfight.
Tottenham also possess the best squad of all the sides in the bottom half. Carlo Cudicini, Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King and Luka Modric are all superb performers, while the re-signing of Robbie Keane was a welcome boost.
Wednesday's thrashing of Boro demonstrated the losing Carling Cup finalists are a cut above the rest.
Why they won't: Redknapp has been unable to settle on a first XI and regular strategy since replacing Ramos in October and that has caused instability.
Just when it appears Tottenham are pulling away from trouble, another defeat arrives on the vidiprinter and that will be a reason for anxiety.
The loss of Defoe due to injury has been a setback after the striker returned to north London from Pompey, while other fitness issues have been a problem for Redknapp.
An end-of-April trip to Old Trafford is approaching and visiting Liverpool - who could have nothing to play for, but will be intent on revenge following league and Carling Cup defeats earlier in the campaign - would not be the top of any wish lists.
Star man: Robbie Keane. Goals are a precious commodity when taking on the best defences in the land and the Republic of Ireland international holds the key.
Predicted finish: 11th
SKY BET odds to go down: 20/1
West Brom
Why they'll survive: The Great Escape in 2005 remains one of the greatest moments in the club's career and continues to breed hope at The Hawthorns.
Four years ago the Baggies became the first club to escape relegation having occupied bottom spot at Christmas and a repeat performance could be a possible after again propping up the division over the festive period.
Tony Mowbray also has his side playing, arguably, the most artistic football of all the clubs in trouble and if points were rewarded for style, the Midlands outfit would finish in mid-table.
Young goalkeeper Scott Carson has played for England and Liverpool, and experience can prove crucial, while former Manchester United midfielder Jonathan Greening is back to fitness and is a seasoned professional.
Chris Brunt and James Morrison have caught the eye and if they can continue to click the duo can guarantee goals and service.
Home games with rivals Bolton, Stoke and Sunderland remain on the fixture list, which also shortens odds.
Why they won't: Mowbray admits to drawing inspiration from the work of Sun Tzu - a Fourth Century Chinese military strategist - who wrote of the necessity to fight battles on your terms, and not those of the enemy.
The Baggies boss uses the 'Art of War' to explain his refusal to abandon an aesthetically pleasing, pass-and-move style, offering that he does not possess the players (Luke Moore and Jay Simpson, for example) for a different, aggressive approach.
However, Mowbray may be better adopting the stick-out-your-chest, up-and-at-them captain Mainwaring playbook in order to survive.
Relegation favourites West Brom have been praised for their philosophy, but the club remains rooted to the foot of the table, six points from safety and with the worst goal difference (-29).
Star man: James Morrison has had a promising season and could well move on in the summer, the Baggies faithful will hope he goes out with a bang.
Predicted finish: 20th
SKY BET odds to go down: 1/10
