Premier League Mid-Season Review: Ranking teams placed 11-20

#15 Newcastle United

Benitez has done well so far but for how long can he continue

For a while, the club, the fans and the owner have engaged in a power struggle. Mike Ashley, their owner, has spent an eternity trying to find a buyer and his inability to do so has crippled Newcastle financially.

The Magpies had a sub-standard transfer window where they failed to address their deficiencies. Thus, it came as no surprise that they found themselves in the lower echelons of the table.

However, Newcastle has slightly gotten over their initial woes and now sit three points above the drop zone.

Benitez seems to have worked his magic again but if the club can’t support him financially, he might find it hard to keep them in the league for too long.

There are problems aplenty on Tyneside yet so far, they have somehow managed to mask them.

The question now though, is, ‘How long can they keep doing it?’

Rating: 5.5

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#14 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace's over-reliance on Zaha could yet haunt them

The South London outfit finished with a respectable tally of 44 points last term. However, this season, the task of climbing the ’40-point mountain’ seems much more arduous.

Crystal Palace were not at their best at the start of the season. Till Arsenal came calling at the end of October, they couldn’t buy a goal at Selhurst Park. Since then, though, they have registered crucial victories over West Ham and Burnley.

However, their biggest splash this term was to beat Manchester City at the Etihad. Courtesy these victories, they clawed their way out of the drop zone.

Despite being too reliant on Zaha, they have gotten the job done at times. Their fighting spirit coupled with their relative solidity at the back has ensured that they haven’t become prime relegation candidates.

The season could yet turn sour but so far, it has been acceptable.

Rating: 5

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#13 Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton has performed well

Brighton has continued their form of last season and are now 10 points clear of the drop zone. Despite not boasting of huge names, the Seagulls have made the Amex Stadium a hard place to visit and have managed to create an upset or two.

Brighton has scored 22 league goals in 20 games and has conceded 27 goals. The former aspect distinguishing them from the rest of the relegation pack.

Several teams encounter problems in making the net ripple but Brighton seem to have enough firepower to outscore their counterparts in the bottom half of the table.

The Seagulls haven’t produced anything too extraordinary but they have been quietly efficient. And this efficiency is what will keep them in the league for a second consecutive season.

Rating: 5.5