Who will join Norwich back in the Sky Bet Championship? Aston Villa have taken a big step towards safety but it is not settled yet ahead of the final round of Premier League fixtures...
Sunday 26 July 2020 18:53, UK
We assess the clubs in danger, their remaining fixtures, and what might seal their fate heading into the final round of games...
Remaining fixture: Aston Villa (h)
Safe - and impressively so.
While the win over Watford made it all-but certain that West Ham would be staying up, the Hammers confirmed it as fact with an excellent display to draw 1-1 at Manchester United.
Before their draw at Old Trafford, West Ham secured three important wins to fight off relegation: against Chelsea, Norwich and, in last Friday's 'relegation cup final', Watford.
A crucial factor in their escape has been their form against the rest of the current bottom six. They have won five and drawn four of those games this season.
Remaining fixture: Burnley (a)
Brighton are staying up.
While the 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Monday will not live long in the memory, the point it secured has given Brighton the precious guarantee that they will be a Premier League club again next season.
The critical result was the 2-1 win over Arsenal immediately after the restart followed by a gritty draw at Leicester. Even though Brighton have largely found it tough going since then, losing to Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City, a win at Norwich and another draw with Southampton had already all-but secured their Premier League status even before the Newcastle stalemate made it official.
Brighton boss Graham Potter said: "There were a few nerves around, but l am so proud of how the players have responded. We have got the job done and we're very proud to be in the Premier League next year."
Remaining fixture: West Ham (a)
Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Arsenal on Tuesday night could prove priceless. After Watford's 4-0 loss to Manchester City earlier in the evening, the victory moves them out of the relegation zone, above the Hornets on goal difference, and puts them in control of their own destiny ahead of their final game of the season against West Ham at the London Stadium.
Beat West Ham, and Dean Smith's side should survive. But with Watford and Bournemouth facing tricky games against Arsenal and Everton respectively, they may not even need to take three points as they look to secure their Premier League status.
It is to their immense credit that they have managed to turn the situation around. Villa went 10 Premier League games without a win either side of the lockdown, but victories over Crystal Palace and Arsenal and a draw with Everton might just end up rescuing their season.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the Arsenal win, Villa boss Smith said: "A great performance but an even better result, because the result is what we needed.
"It's a big boost, that's for sure. We knew we had to get that win to catch Watford up. Now we've got the season in our own hands and that's all you can ask for going into the last game.
"We're out of it, but Watford can go and win at Arsenal on Sunday, so we have to go and win at West Ham."
Remaining fixture: Arsenal (a)
When Nigel Pearson was appointed by Watford in December, the remit was simple. His job was to keep a team up that was then cut adrift at the bottom of the table in the Premier League.
But defeat to West Ham left clouds of anxiety still hovering over Vicarage Road and ahead of the final two games, Watford's owners took action, axing Pearson and putting U23s coach Hayden Mullins and goalkeeper coach Graham Stack in temporary charge.
It is a decision which did not exactly pay immediate dividends as Watford were routed 4-0 by Manchester City. And it is the scoreline of that defeat which puts Watford's stay in the Premier League in real jeopardy heading into the final day of the season. Watford now need to better Villa's result on the final day in order to stay up - or hope that Villa lose by a margin of two goals more than them.
Remaining fixture: Everton (a)
Bournemouth had kept their Premier League survival hopes alive after coming from behind to beat Champions League-chasing Leicester 4-1 - but defeat to Manchester City - albeit after a plucky performance - and a 2-0 loss to Southampton has really left them on the brink.
Watford's defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday handed them a lifeline, but Aston Villa's victory over Arsenal was bad news for them. They are now three points behind both of their rivals, their only hope of survival being if they beat Everton on the final day, and Watford and Villa lose to Arsenal and West Ham respectively. Goal difference would then be their saviour.
After their loss to Southampton, Cherries boss Eddie Howe said: "I just need to digest this game before thinking about next week. While we're still there, there's still hope, we just have to believe until it is mathematically impossible. You never know in football, crazier things have happened.
"But I'm very disappointed today because a big chunk of our destiny and future was still in our hands today, and that's slipped away.
"It is difficult. Usually we have been free scoring and creating a bundle of chances. For some reason that hasn't happened [this season]. We have worked to try and change that, and the best spell has probably been the last few games."
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp expects Aston Villa to go on and clinch Premier League survival on the final day.
"It makes all the difference for Villa," he said after their win over Arsenal.
"They've all got tough games, but the game you would most want would be West Ham away, if I'm honest.
"For Watford, Arsenal cannot be as bad as they were today, so I think that's a really difficult fixture.
"Bournemouth are going to an Everton team who just got a really good result against Sheffield United.
"So I think, right now, everything is in Aston Villa's favour. If they can go and get three points, it's all over. What a feeling for them because they've never really been in this position where it's in their hands.
"Watford and Bournemouth are now relying on other teams. It's still all to play for, but Aston Villa are the team you want to be right now. At the start of the day, I didn't think that would happen."
Arsenal vs Watford - 4pm kick-off, Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Burnley vs Brighton - 4pm kick-off, Live on Sky Sports Arena
Chelsea vs Wolves - 4pm kick-off, Live on Sky Sports Football
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham - 4pm kick-off, Live on Sky Sports Action
Everton vs Bournemouth - 4pm kick-off, Live on Sky Sports Golf
Leicester vs Man Utd - 4pm kick-off, Live on Sky Sports Main Event
Man City vs Norwich - 4pm kick-off, Live on Sky Sports Pick and Sky One
Newcastle vs Liverpool - 4pm kick-off, Full Time highlights live on Sky Sports Digital
Southampton vs Sheffield United - 4pm kick-off, Live on Sky Sports Mix
West Ham vs Aston Villa - 4pm kick-off, Full Time highlights live on Sky Sports Digital
