Leeds, Everton, Leicester, Forest fixtures: Relegation run-ins compared | OneFootball

The Premier League season is coming to a close, and football fans could be in for one of the most entertaining relegation run-ins seen in years.

No team is mathematically down as of yet, and just six points separate bottom of the table Southampton from Leeds United in 16th place.

It could take just a few results for the table to swing in the favour of another team, so we have had a look at the relegation run-in for each of the bottom five and have previewed their final matches of the 2022/23 season.

Southampton's Premier League future looks in big trouble

BBC Sport gave them just a 27% chance of surviving the drop back in March, and little has changed to reduce that percentage.

A big victory over Chelsea should have given them the impetus to kick on and put a run together, but just one other win against Leicester City has followed since then.

To make matters worse, Ruben Selles’ side have an insanely tough relegation run-in, with matches against Newcastle, Brighton, and Liverpool still to go.

Their recent draw against Arsenal brought a valuable point, but the Saints will see it as a missed opportunity having been two goals up. And their loss to south coast neighbours Bournemouth is incredibly damaging to their survival hopes.

Given all of the above, it would take a big change of fortunes for them to stay up, meaning that their 11-year stay in the top-flight looks set to come to an end.

Southampton, then, might already be fighting a losing battle against the drop, but what about the other sides scrapping to avoid relegation to the second tier?

Below we've taken a look at the run-ins of Nottingham Forest, Everton, Leicester City, and Leeds United as each look to preserve their Premier League status.

Everton - 28 points (19th place)

Everton's remaining fixtures: Leicester (A), Brighton (A), Man City (H), Wolves (A), Bournemouth (H)

It pays to have an experienced head in the dugout during times like these, and Everton are lucky to have Sean Dyche at the helm.

The former Burnley boss has been in a couple of relegation dogfights during his time in the top flight, keeping his former club up by six points in 2017 and by one place in 2021.

And while stupid red cards certainly won't help their cause, Everton will need all his managerial nous if they want to avoid getting dragged down.

The Toffees have recorded just one win in their last 10 games, and results like a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace won't help their fight for survival, nor will a 4-1 hammering at home to Newcastle.

But their relegation run-in is slightly less tricky than that of their rivals, and the Newcastle game is not the kind of fixture where their future is decided.

Brighton and Man City pose the biggest obstacles yet to come, but Leicester away on Monday is a massive chance to pick up points.

Games against Wolves and Bournemouth are also chances to move clear of the bottom three, but if the Toffees fail to beat the Foxes, then their future could be cemented.

Everton just about survived last season under Frank Lampard, and they will be hoping to play their 70th consecutive season in England’s top division next year.

Leicester - 29 points (18th place)

Leicester's remaining fixtures: Everton (H), Fulham (A), Liverpool (H), Newcastle (A), West Ham (H)

Leicester’s form was a massive concern in recent weeks, with the Foxes failing to win in nine league games ahead of their match against Wolves.

Fears of relegation had started to become more realistic, with the atmosphere at the King Power stadium becoming hostile following their loss to Bournemouth.

A victory against Wolves was a big boost for Dean Smith's boys, but drawing to Leeds was a missed opportunity for Leicester to pick up more points.

There was an element of bad luck, with Youri Tielemans and Jamie Vardy both having goals ruled out. But Leeds also had their chances, and Patrick Bamford could have snatched all three points for the hosts late on.

There is cause for optimism though, with a vital match coming up against Everton. Win, and Leicester will put four points between them and the Toffees.

West Ham could also be an opportunity to pick up a victory, with the Hammers currently just five points ahead of them.

Also, this is the same team that stuck four goals past Tottenham just a few months ago – so big wins against Liverpool and Newcastle are not completely out of the question either.

With quality players like James Maddison, Kelechi Iheanacho and Tielemans to call upon, the former Premier League champions could yet maintain their top-flight status.

Nottingham Forest - 30 points (17th place)

Nottingham Forest's remaining fixtures: Brentford (A), Southampton (H), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Crystal Palace (A)

The writing did appear to be on the wall for Steve Cooper’s squad, with their last Premier League victory coming back at the start of February.

But following a huge result against Brighton, could there be renewed optimism at the City Ground?

Defeating the high-flying Seagulls followed a gutsy performance at Anfield against Liverpool, and Cooper certainly seems to have his team fighting for their top-flight futures.

But although a first victory in 12 games will be a big boost in morale, a difficult relegation run-in is yet to come.

League leaders Arsenal travel to the Midlands for the penultimate game of the season, while in-form Brentford host the Reds this month.

However, two other massive games could allow Forest to pick up six more points. Bottom-side Southampton visit in May, and they also play underperforming Chelsea.

The Blues can’t seem to buy a win at the moment and have lost five games on the spin under interim boss Frank Lampard. So that match represents a massive opportunity for Forest.

If they pick up six points in those two games, then fears of relegation will start to dissipate before their final match against Palace.

Leeds United - 30 points (16th place)

Leeds' remaining fixtures: Bournemouth (A), Man City (A), Newcastle (H), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H)

You never can tell with Leeds United.

One minute, they’re beating Nottingham Forest and putting four past Wolves. The next, Crystal Palace put five past them before Liverpool hit them for six.

And following a thrashing by the Reds, a loss to Fulham, and a poor draw at home against fellow strugglers Leicester, Javi Gracia’s side could be in real trouble.

That's no wins in four matches for Leeds now, and their relegation run-in does not get any easier, with games against Newcastle, Man City and Tottenham yet to come, teams either looking to secure places in European competitions or win the league.

Leicester was a massive opportunity for them, and Bamford will be kicking himself for missing such a big chance for his side late in the game.

The Whites’ salvation lies in their fixtures against Bournemouth and West Ham, teams in and around them at the foot of the table.

Those matches will be decisive – pick six points up, and Leeds should secure their stay in the Premier League for another year.

It’s hard to see where else the wins will come from if they can't get the job done against their fellow strugglers.