Today’s fixtures will see some of the Premier League’s bottom sides battle it out for crucial points.
The early kick-off see’s Bolton host QPR at the Reebok Stadium and later on today Wolves host fellow strugglers Blackburn at Molineux.
Five
It looks like there are now five teams in the fight to avoid the drop down into the Championship. Bottom club Wigan face a tough trip to Carrow Road and Norwich on Sunday. The Latic’s looked doomed to relegation until last weekend and they are now just two points away from safety.
In fact just two points separate Roberto Martinez’s team in 20th place with QPR in 16th place, that’s how close it is at the bottom of the table.
Difficult
With the teams so close on points it’s became difficult to see who are the favourites to be relegated. At the moment Bolton, Wolves and Wigan occupy those relegation places but it could look very different at the end of today’s fixtures.
Today’s fixtures may give us some clarity on whom is more likely to survive. However with ten games still remaining after this weekends fixtures they may not.
Home
In relegation battles home advantage can play a big part in staying up. If your home fans are behind the team it can sometimes give the players the lift they need to gain vital points. However if the home fans get on the players back it can sometimes hinder the team.
Late on in the Mick McCarthy reign at Wolves the Molineux fans tended to get on the backs of the players. That resulted in poor performances and nervousness from the players. It also resulted in McCarthy getting the sack.
Today’s home fixture with Blackburn is vital for Wolves boss Terry Connor. He has enjoyed a mixed start to his career as Wolves boss but this game is a must win for his side.
Bolton have endured a really difficult campaign this season after being a midtable team for so many years. They host QPR at the Reebok Stadium and Owen Coyle will be hoping the team can gain a result from somewhere.
Bolton have struggled on their own turf this season losing nine of their 13 games at the Reebok Stadium this season. The Trotters really can’t afford another slip-up today. I fully expect QPR boss Mark Hughes to go on the attack today.
Goals
I think the key to survive this season will be which sides have players that will get them goals in games like these. In Yakubu Blackburn have one of the form strikers of the season. The 29 year-old Nigerian has fired home 14 goals in just 19 appearances this season.
QPR also have an interesting pairing of Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora, who have both scored goals in the Premier League. Cisse returns from suspension today and the Hoops fans will be hoping he is the man to fire them to safety.
In that respect I fear for Bolton and Wolves. They haven’t really got the same firepower up front. They have haven’t got the strikers that could make the difference in the remaining games of the campaign.
Prediction
The relegation battle really is a fascinating one. Any of the five teams could survive and any could face the drop into the Championship. However, as I have previously mentioned I think the Blackburn and QPR forwards will get their teams out of trouble.
It’s tight though and I certainly won’t be betting on the topsy turvy fight for survival. It would take a brave man to put his money where his mouth is and I am not a brave man!
Who will be relegated from the Premier League this season?
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