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With just five more gameweeks to go, the relegation battle is down to not more than five clubs – Blackburn, QPR, Bolton, Wigan and Wolves.
Wolves are favourites to be the first of the three clubs to get relegated and who the other two clubs would be is difficult to predict. Wigan and QPR are in a good run of form and Bolton’s form improved a little after the fateful FA cup tie against Spurs. But Bolton are now back into the relegation zone after two defeats in a row. Blackburn are suffering from after four defeats in a row.
Wigan Atheletic
17-4-2012 Arsenal - Wigan
21-42012 Fulham - Wigan
28-4-2012 Wigan - Newcastle
08-5-2012 Blackburn - Wigan
13-5-2012 Wigan - Wolves
The last four games in their fixture list were touted as extremely tough games for them. But they have surprised every one by getting nine points out 0f a possible 12. Wigan managed to beat Liverpool at Anfield where the two title contenders couldn’t. They got their first ever win over Manchester United in the premier league last week which was huge upset for the defending champions. Man Utd were on a 12 match unbeaten run on their journey to the 20th title and that streak was ended by Martinez’s side last week. They have few tough games to go with two potential relegation battles against Blackburn at Ewood Park and Wolves at DW Stadium in the last two games of the season. They are all set to face yet another tough battle at the Emirates this Tuesday and the game after the next is also tough as they meet Newcastle at St.James Park. But they would like to get at least 7-8 points in the last five games of the season. I personally feel 38 points as a safe zone for the teams to stay in EPL and they already have 31 points. They will be more than happy if they get 3-5 points in their next three games. But the three games are extremely tough as you can see in the fixture list. But they would love to get wins against Blackburn and Wolves in the last two games.
Bolton Wanderers
21-4-2012 Bolton - Swansea
25-42012 Astonvilla - Bolton
28-4-2012 Sunderland - Bolton
03-5-2012 Bolton - Tottenham
06-5-2012 Bolton - West Brom
13-5-2012 Stoke - Bolton
A few weeks back Bolton were struggling and many started questioning their chances of survival. There was a stage when they went five matches without a point. Since that game against Tottenham, they won three games in a row with newly found self belief and confidence. Last two games saw Bolton lose heavily. But they still have a game in hand and have an easier run of fixtures compared to other teams.This is the main advantage that they have over the others. If they could get back the form that they were in previously, they can easily stay in the premier league for yet another year. Their toughest fixture would be Tottenham coming to the Reebok Stadium. They also have a game at the Stadium Of Light which is equally tough. They will try to get 7-8 points in their last six games of the season. They do not face any of the four relegation threatened sides and this an added bonus to Bolton. I think they will survive the relegation battle and finish 17th this season.
14-4-2012 West Brom - QPR
21-42012 QPR - Tottenham
29-4-2012 Chelsea - QPR
06-5-2012 QPR - Stoke
13-5-2012 Man City - QPR
Like Bolton, QPR were also struggling five games back, failing to win a single match in seven games. But then three wins in last five has made them sit comfortably at sixteenth now. Right from the spectacular come-back win against Liverpool few weeks back, they have been in a good form with wins against mighty Arsenal, Liverpool and Swansea. But the drawback is that they have the toughest fixtures of all the five teams.
Seeing the fixtures, you can see that they are yet to face Tottenham at home and the mighty Chelsea and Man City away from home. They have 31 points already but with some tough fixtures to come, they would like to get 7-8 points in the next five but practically they cannot get more than six points. They would like to ensure that they win the games against West Bromwich Albion and Stoke. But those games are also equally difficult. Though the team has the richest stake holder in the world in the name of Laxmi Mittal, maximum they can aim for is 17th. But getting that result is very tough. I think they don’t have any chance of survival in the league this year.
19.Blackburn Rovers
14-4-2012 Swansea - Blackburn
21-42012 Blackburn - Norwich
29-4-2012 Tottenham - Blackburn
08-5-2012 Blackburn - Wigan
13-5-2012 Chelsea - Blackburn
Blackburn has been one of the most inconsistent teams in PL this year. They managed to get some shocking wins against good teams but on the other hand they sometimes lose many games in a row. Now they are on a four game losing streak and they are all set to end it when they face Swansea this week who are also on a four game losing streak. They have two tough away matches against Tottenham and Chelsea remaining and they are expected to lose both. A match against Norwich at home is also equally difficult. However they would like to win against Wigan at home. Other than that all the games are tough for them and maximum they can expect is 6-7 points. But even that would be too difficult for them. They have mere 28 points and even nine points wont be enough, provided the competition that they have to survive in the top flight. I think they are favourites to get relegated and their stay at the Premier league will be ended after 11 continuous seasons in the top flight. Maximum they can hope is 18th but they will probably finish 19th this season. It is sad that only team to have won the Premier league other than Man utd, Arsenal and Chelsea might be relegated this year.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
14-4-2012 Sunderland - Wolves
22-42012 Wolves - Man City
28-4-2012 Swansea - Wolves
06-5-2012 Wolves - Everton
13-5-2012 Wigan - Wolves
For all the Gold in Arabia I would say that Wolves are will be relegated this season. Wolves have the worst home/away record this season. They are on a seven match losing streak , a nine match winless streak and have managed to get only one win in 21 games. With their current form, I would say all of their remaining matches are tough. But their next two games will be the toughest. They face Sunderland at the stadium of light and then they meet the citizens at the Molineux. They face Wigan in the last day of the season. But probably they will get relegated even before that. They are expected to be relegated in 36th game week and I don’t think they will prove me wrong. They have just 22 points and they can expect to get a maximum of 25 points this season. I don’t see them winning any of their remaining fixtures.They should finish last this season.