As the 2025/26 Premier League season enters its final stretch, the relegation race is intensifying. With just 10 games remaining, the clubs currently fighting to avoid the dreaded drop are Leeds, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Wolves, and Burnley. While Wolves seem destined for relegation, the other teams still have a chance to secure their top-flight status. Here's a closer look at the crucial fixtures and predictions for the bottom six teams.
Relegation Rivals: Wolves and Burnley Struggling to Stay Afloat
Wolves are all but relegated, with their season effectively sealed following a 19-game winless streak. Despite a surprise victory over Aston Villa, the Old Gold are 14 points adrift of safety, and they need a miracle to stay in the Premier League for another season. Similarly, Burnley are also in serious trouble, sitting eight points from safety, and their chances of survival look bleak.
Teams on the Edge: West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, and Leeds
West Ham's survival hopes were reignited with a dramatic win over Tottenham, and they have since shown better form, losing only twice in their last nine matches. However, they remain in the final relegation spot, just two points from safety. Nottingham Forest, sitting just below Tottenham, are also at risk, currently on a five-match winless streak and struggling to find form under new management.
Tottenham, despite sitting in 16th place, are also in a precarious position. They are only four points clear of the drop zone and have been enduring a club-record 10-match winless run. Leeds, on the other hand, are six points above the relegation zone but have only won once on the road this season, placing increased pressure on their home form to avoid slipping into the bottom three.
Crucial Six-Pointer Matches: Key Battles to Decide Relegation
Several key matchups remain in the final months of the season that could significantly influence the relegation race. Leeds will face off against four of the bottom six, including a critical final-day clash away to West Ham. Other vital encounters include Tottenham’s home match against Nottingham Forest on March 22 and the showdown between West Ham and Wolves on April 11.
Key Fixtures:
March 22: Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest
April 11: West Ham vs Wolves
April 18: Leeds vs Wolves & Forest vs Burnley
April 25: Wolves vs Tottenham
May 2: Leeds vs Burnley
May 9: Tottenham vs Leeds
May 24: Burnley vs Wolves & West Ham vs Leeds
Predictions: Who Will Survive the Drop?
According to Opta’s supercomputer predictions, Burnley (98.1%) and Wolves (100%) are heavily favored to be relegated. West Ham have a 69.4% chance of going down, while Nottingham Forest are given a 25% chance of relegation. Tottenham, despite their struggles, have a much lower chance at just 5%, with Leeds facing a minimal 2.1% chance of relegation.
Looking at the history of Premier League relegation, teams that finish with 36 points or more are typically safe. Last season, an unusually poor bottom three saw teams stay up with as little as 26 points. This season, clubs will likely need a similar point tally to avoid the drop, but with the bottom six all struggling, anything can happen.
Final Stretch: Can Leeds, Spurs, Forest, or West Ham Avoid Relegation?
With the relegation battle heating up, these teams will need to give their all in the final 10 matches. Leeds’ strong home form could help them stay above the drop zone, while Tottenham and Forest will need to turn their seasons around quickly to avoid an early return to the Championship. West Ham, despite their struggles, have a glimmer of hope, while Burnley and Wolves are in serious danger of falling into the second tier.
As the season comes to a close, all eyes will be on these crucial fixtures, with only a handful of points separating the relegation-threatened teams from survival.
