The Premiership season is winding down, and the relegation dogfight is tight as ever, with one measly point separating four teams at the moment. All three freshly promoted clubs (Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City) are fighting to retain top-flight status for next season, while Southampton find themselves once again precariously close to the drop-zone. Here are my thoughts:
Southampton (36 matches played, 31 points): As much as I have enjoyed the lanky 6'7" Peter Crouch's transformation into a reliable striker this season (11 league goals, 15 in all competitions), I wouldn't mind seeing them relegated if it means keeper Antti Niemi will become available for a transfer to Manchester United, whom they play on the last day of the season. Before then, they face fellow relegation battlers Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and Southampton have won just one away game all season. At best, they might manage a draw against Palace; at worst, Harry Redknapp will need to prepare for life in the League Championship.
Verdict: 32 points at most, drop.
Crystal Palace (36 MP, 31 Pts): Level with Southampton on points but behind in goals difference by one, Palace will face Charlton Athletic at The Valley on the last day. Like Southampton, they've won just once away this eason, so a draw might be the best they can hope for. However, with Andy Johnson leading the way, they just might be able to exploit the second-worst defence in the league and beat the Saints for all three points.
Verdict: Hope for 35 points, hate to see Johnson, Routledge, and Kiraly relegated.
WBA (35 MP, 30 Pts): The good news: WBA have a game in hand on the other three clubs. The bad news: WBA still have to play Arsenal (home) and Man United (away), before finishing the season at home to Portsmouth. At this point in time, they need all 9 points to be mathematically safe. In reality, they would need a miracle to get more than 2 points out of Arsenal and United. Portsmouth have won just twice away, the last time coming on Boxing Day. Personally, I'd like to see WBA stay up. Zoltan Gera and Jason Koumas have impressed me enough to win my support.
Verdict: Miracle needed for 1 win and 2 draws; greater miracle would be 2 wins and a loss.
Norwich City (36 MP, 30 Pts): Nigel Worthington is plotting the Greatest Escape we've seen in years, only to have it derailed by Henri Camara's lately goal for Southampton last weekend. Keeper Robert Green may yet have an England career, but Norwich's dreadful defending means they're simply not worthy of Premiership status. Even if they beat Birmingham at home, they still need to win their first away game of the season on the last day at Fulham if they want to be safe.
Verdict: The three teams above will keep dropping points; the question is, can Norwich earn enough of their own to leapfrog all three? I think not.
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