Tottenham's Crucial Five-Game Gauntlet: Can Spurs Outpace Leeds, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Race?
Stalemates across the board indicate the Premier League relegation battle remains unchanged, though two clubs will be especially pleased with their weekend performances.
Leeds United and Nottingham Forest might consider their respective draws against Crystal Palace and Fulham as missed chances, despite the former playing the entire second period at Selhurst Park down to ten players.
Conversely, West Ham United demonstrated resilience once more to earn a point against title-contending Manchester City, while Tottenham Hotspur gave their fans a glimpse of optimism. Richarlison, who rescued Everton four seasons back, won't allow the North London club to suffer an embarrassing demotion, their first in nearly five decades.
The struggle will continue until the final whistle, with four clubs battling to escape one dreaded spot.
Below is how the upcoming five Premier League fixtures appear for those teams fighting for survival.
Tottenham, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham's Next Five Premier League Matches
Tottenham, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham's Next Five Premier League Matches
Tottenham (30 points) | Leeds (32 points) | Nott'm Forest (29 points) | West Ham (29 points) |
|---|---|---|---|
Nott'm Forest (H) – March 22 | Brentford (H) – March 21 | Tottenham (A) – March 22 | Aston Villa (A) – March 22 |
Sunderland (A) – April 12 | Man Utd (A) – April 13 | Aston Villa (H) – April 11 | Wolves (H) – April 10 |
Brighton (H) – April 18 | Wolves (H) – April 18 | Burnley (H) – April 18 | Crystal Palace (A) – April 20 |
Wolves (A) – April 25 | Bournemouth (A) – April 25 | Sunderland (A) – April 24 | Everton (H) – April 25 |
Aston Villa (A) – May 2 | Burnley (A) – May 2 | Chelsea (A) – May 2 | Brentford (A) – May 2 |
Tottenham's draw at Liverpool provides them with positive momentum heading into what must be considered their most crucial match since the Europa League final. Nottingham Forest's trip to North London next Sunday represents a genuine relegation six-pointer.
The return leg of Spurs' Champions League last-16 clash with Atlético Madrid comes before Forest's arrival, but their primary objective on Wednesday evening, considering they trail 5–2, should be ensuring all players emerge injury-free. They were missing up to 13 squad members at Anfield.
Leeds host surprise European contenders Brentford next Saturday evening, while West Ham travel to struggling Aston Villa.
The international break provides a breather before the final sprint, with Spurs beginning April away at Sunderland. A previously challenging fixture now appears less threatening, considering the Black Cats' disappointing form, particularly at the Stadium of Light. Brighton & Hove Albion visit N17 the subsequent week before Tudor's squad faces improving relegation candidates Wolverhampton Wanderers.
May opens with a journey to Villa Park.
A five-match winless streak in the Premier League means Leeds, despite significant improvement since Christmas, remain embroiled in the relegation scrap. Nevertheless, forthcoming home encounters against Wolves and Burnley offer Daniel Farke's team an excellent chance to claim six points and move toward safety. They also face Manchester United away and mid-table Bournemouth during April.
Forest have consecutive home matches following the break, with Aston Villa and Burnley visiting the City Ground. They then head to Sunderland to wrap up April before facing Champions League-chasing Chelsea.
West Ham are also in west London on May's opening weekend, but they're at Brentford. Prior to that, the Hammers will fancy their chances in all three April fixtures. A visit to Crystal Palace sits between home games against Wolves and Everton. The latter have been troublesome away from home this campaign, however, and David Moyes would relish defeating his previous club.