Who will avoid the drop?

10. Not just a random number, 10 is the number of teams who still need to frantically climb up the table or at least keep looking over their shoulders, who would of thought that with 2 months of the season to go that half of the Premier League table cannot breathe a sigh of relief just yet as they all battle it out to avoid the dreaded drop, it seems as though the 40 point mark may only be a minimum requirement.

So, from Aston Villa to Wolverhampton Wanderers, here are my A-Z of teams still looking to book their place amongst the elite next season:

ASTON VILLA

An unusual position for Villa in recent years, the departure of O’Neill hasn’t exactly been a good one. But a big advantage for Villa is the number of home games they have against teams they should be capable of winning, the signing of Darren Bent will also be a big help. The fact Villa are already 3 off the relegation is a little boost as well. My Prediction: SAFE Number of points: 46

BIRMINGHAM CITY

How can such a good season be such a bad one as well? Birmingham City know. Triumph at Wembley against Arsenal recently crowned them Carling Cup winners and a quarter final in the FA Cup to look forward to seems a great season, yet the blues find themselves 18^th place with 30 points. With a number of fairly difficult places to go starting with Everton tonight, Birmingham may struggle. Possibly a rare moment, a team playing in Europe next year but also in the Championship. It’s touch and go but they may do it, only just. My Prediction: SAFE Number of points: 38

BLACKBURN

New owners, European football this year? No. Venky owners may be blushing with embarrassment at the sacking of Sam Allardyce who couldn’t take Blackburn to the level they wanted who at one point had Blackburn comfortably in 9^th place. The appointment of Steve Kean, although a lot of coaching experience has no managerial experience and this seems a bit shaky. However, if Blackburn can continue their good form at home then they should be ok. Survival will ensure a better chance with the money they have to finish a lot higher in the league next year. Bit of biting the nails for Rovers, but the Venkys should get away with it. My Prediction: SAFE Number of points: 41

BLACKPOOL

Terrific season for the tangerine army, predicted at the beginning to back down and be poor, a lot of people have been proven wrong, a dip form recently has spoilt their terrific start, however it would be a pleasure to see one of the most entertaining teams in the Premier League stay up another year. Blackpool will learn from this year that sometimes over-entertaining doesn’t pay off as they have lost a lot of points from winning positions. My prediction: SAFE Number of points: 40

FULHAM

Not a bad season, they had to say goodbye to Roy Hodgson who did such a good job but brought in an experienced replacement in Mark Hughes, if Hughes is given time then they will do well, with 35 points already, I think they will stay up. My Prediction: SAFE Number of points: 42

STOKE

What a fantastic job Tony Pulis has done, how he didn’t get manager of the year in Stoke’s first season in the Premier League I will never know. Very hard team to beat at the Britannia, 34 points already should see Stoke be in the league once again and they have an FA Cup quarter final to look forward to. My Prediction: SAFE Number of points: 45

WEST BROM

It seemed that Roberto Di Matteo was the man, beating Arsenal at the Emirates and a draw at Old Trafford seemed two major accomplishments that not too many teams can brag about. However the leaky defence of Albion’s has cost them dearly and sees them as the team who has conceded the most in the league, Di Matteo has left and been replaced by Roy Hodgson, their terrific away win to Birmingham may give them a boost however has Hodgson been given too much to do looking at the remaining fixtures? If they keep conceding at this rate, they may just go down in the cruellest of ways on goal difference to Birmingham. My Prediction: RELEGATED Number of points: 38

WEST HAM

Controversy for so long, Avram Grant-in, now he’s out, oh no wait he’s not going, make your mind up! A semi-final exit in the carling cup on the way beating Man United 4-0 and a place in the quarter finals in the FA Cup can be seen as not a bad season but the Hammers have struggled in the league, they have been upbeat one week and down the next, with Spurs and Man United in the league next there may not be many points from them two and two tough away fixtures to Chelsea followed by Manchester City next month doesn’t welcome many more, however midfield warrior Scott Parker will do everything to drag his team up the league, the last 3 games may prove vital, if West Ham do well from these, there may be a lot of happy hammers. My Prediction: SAFE Number of points: 39

WIGAN

A good performance of recent against Manchester City saw no points, story of Wigan’s season in a lot of games, good performances but nothing to show and we all know this is a points game. The 4-0 recent drubbing at home to Manchester United won’t help either. If they want to stay up they need to do something and do something quick. My Prediction: RELEGATED Number of points: 30

WOLVES

So good at home beating Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all at home but so bad away, usually bad form in half of the fixtures isn’t a good sign. Some good players in Doyle and Hammill, a very good working attitude Mick McCarthy has implemented. Perhaps the decisions in the 3-3 draw with Spurs the yellow which should of been a red and the disallowed goal which seemed unfair may be costly. Wolves will put up a good fight but it’s hard to see their away form suddenly picking up. My Prediction: RELEGATED Number of points: 37

Looks like this will be one of the closest seasons, just be a bit aware if your team begins with a W!

Rachel Gee



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[Boltonblogger]

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