Premiership relegation race

English Premier League is one of the most exciting football leagues in Europe but while Chelsea shouldn’t have too many problems taking the title from United, the relegation race promises to be as exciting as ever. Last weekend both Hull City and Portsmouth boosted their survival hopes by beating direct relegation rivals, while Wolves, Birmingham and Blackburn proved they could be involved in the battle to avoid the drop.

Portsmouth recorded the best result out of all relegation rivals, having beaten Wolverhampton away and thus ended the seven-match losing run. Pompey remain in a very difficult position but they have signed some very good players in the dying moments of the transfer window and once this side gel, things should become much easier. Paul Hart’s team need to notch a couple of good results in succession in order to escape the relegation zone but the win over Wolves is definitely a step in the right direction.

West Ham United are definitely the unpleasant surprise as Gianfranco Zola’s team are capable for much better results than they are achieving lately. It is only a matter of time before the Hammers start playing to their potential and there is simply no way they could get relegated this season. Zola have a very good team at his disposal, with plenty of very talented players and I expect them to achieve a mid table finish.

Hull City also ended the poor run of results in the best possible time and the win over Wigan certainly eased some of the pressure on Phil Brown’s side. It seems the boss’ odd coaching methods have finally produced results but the Tigers are, nevertheless, in for a difficult relegation fight. They narrowly escaped the drop last season but I am not so sure they can do it again.

The lack of Premiership experience has started to take its toll on Wolverhampton, who are back in the dangerous zone after a couple of very poor results. Wolves are struggling to take any points against direct relegation rivals and that could cost them survival this season. Mick McCarthy’s side are definitely showing potential but if they fail to improve the record against teams from the bottom part of the table, they will get relegated.

I am positive both Fulham and Stoke will easily avoid the relegation struggle, but the same cannot be said for Bolton, Birmingham, Burnley and Blackburn (you will notice all these start with B).

Burnley have had a great start to the season, thanks to the impressive performances at Turf Moore but I still rate them as one of the main candidates for the drop. Just like Wolves, they lack some experience to play at this level and that is bound to take its toll on the results.

Bolton are always in the bottom part of the table and they have only Gary Megson to thank to. His stubborn long-ball tactics has so far helped them avoid the drop but the Trotters cannot expect to keep their Premiership status for much longer. Their wealth of experience compensates for the lack of quality and that is the only thing that can keep them alive this term.

Birmingham are struggling lately but they still seem as most serious of all the promoted teams. Numerous injury problems have prevented them from recording better results at the start of the season but the Blues do seem to have too much quality and experience to go down.

Blackburn are the last of the endangered teams, at least for the time being, and they could have serious problems this season. The Rovers failed to attract any big name signings but at least players like Dunn, Grella, Emerton and Reid are back in contention after the lengthy injury lay-off and it seems the only way for Blackburn to avoid the drop is for these players to rediscover their form.

All things considered, we should be in for one of the most interesting relegation races in Premiership history. What is your opinion? Whose fans will be in tears at the end of the season?

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