The Premier League run-in is here, and for the clubs near the bottom, every single point over the final seven games will feel like gold dust. With 21 points still on the table, the battle to avoid the drop is set for a dramatic finish.
West Ham United currently occupy the final relegation spot in 18th, but the picture is incredibly tight. Tottenham Hotspur sit just one point above them, with Nottingham Forest three points clear and Leeds United holding a four-point cushion. Survival will come down to navigating a brutal final stretch of fixtures.
For West Ham, the challenge is immense. After a crucial Friday night clash against bottom-side Wolves, they face a gauntlet of Brentford, Everton, and Newcastle—all teams fiercely competing for European qualification—before a daunting final-day meeting with league leaders Arsenal. If things are still undecided, their season finale against Leeds could be a straight shootout for Premier League status.
Tottenham's path is uniquely difficult due to their shocking home form, having won just twice at their own ground all season. Ironically, having more away games in their run-in might be a blessing. New manager Roberto de Zerbi faces an immediate test with trips to Sunderland and a reunion with former club Brighton. A pivotal home match against Leeds in May could decide fates, before closing with tough fixtures against Chelsea and Everton.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds have slightly more breathing room, but their schedules are complicated by ongoing cup commitments. Forest must still face three of the current top six, plus European hopefuls Newcastle and Bournemouth. A potential Europa League semi-final would squeeze their calendar further, with ties bracketing a difficult trip to Chelsea.
Leeds, meanwhile, have an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea to contend with, just days after a league match at Bournemouth. Crucially, their run-in features four matches against fellow strugglers, meaning they will have direct control over their destiny—and that of their rivals. The final weeks promise high drama, with every match carrying the weight of an entire season.