The Premier League is considered by many to be the best football league in the world. Having the so-called Big Six (Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham) already gives it a parity and a level of demand above the average. But beyond these powerful teams, far from that definition that Guardiola and Arteta throb, there is another fight that is just as exciting. The famous struggle for permanence.
It is already clear, Manchester City or Arsenal, one of them two, will be champions of the Premier League 22/23. Instead, it's seven! The teams that seek to save themselves from a fate that will reach three of them, relegation.
Before the 36th round of 38 begins, a review of the standings shows that mathematically they are Bournemouth, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Everton, Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton, in that order.
Bournemouth are in 14th position with 39 points. Marcos Senesi's side fell in their last match 3-1 against Chelsea, which prevented them from being able to add their third consecutive win and save themselves. Now, the English team must face Crystal Palace (away), Manchester United (home) and Everton (away), which also fights not to be relegated.
Marcos Senesi, prop at Bournemouth. Photo: Reuters/Andrew Couldridge.
West Ham, with 37 points, is in 15th place. On the last day he returned to victory after three games, after defeating Manchester United 1-0. The remaining matches for Manuel Lanzini's team are: Brentford (away), Leeds (home) and Leicester City (away), with direct rivals in the fight not to go down to the Championship.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are in 16th position with 33 points, and are coming off a key win with a 4-3 win over Southampton. In order to continue adding points, the Nottingham team will have to play against: Chelsea (away), Arsenal (home) and Crystal Palace (away).
Manu Lanzini, with few minutes at West Ham. Photo: Reuters/John Sibley.
Everton have 32 points and are in 17th place. The Liverpool team thrashed Brighton 5-1 in its last presentation, however, it is still very complicated and has a complex fixture: it receives Manchester City, visits Wolves (visitor) and closes at home against Bournemouth.
Leicester City, unforgettable champions in 2016, now have to suffer: they have 30 points and are in 18th position, adding three dates without wins. On the last day they were defeated 5-3 by Fulham. Today, it is one of the three teams that would be relegated to the second division and remains to face Liverpool (home), Newcastle (away) and West Ham (home).
The table below the Premier League, in the absence of three dates. Photo: Promiedos.
With less brightness than in his years led by Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United appears in 19th place, with 30 points and in his last presentation was thrashed 4-1 by a direct rival like Bournemouth. He has five games that he does not win and is in decline, putting at risk his permanence in the Premier, a historic achievement that he achieved from the hand of the Argentine coach. He still has to play against Newcastle (home), West Ham (away) and Tottenham (home), all complicated.
Finally, Southampton appears with 24 points and in 20th position, waiting for a miracle. The team of Willy Caballero and Carlos Alcaraz, has almost zero chances of saving. Of the last five matches, they lost four and must now face Fulham (home), Brighton (away) and Liverpool (home). To get out of the red zone he needs to overcome the 32 points that Everton has today, something that seems impossible.
This weekend begins this mini tournament for "salvation", as exciting and disputed as the first positions between Manchester City and Arsenal.
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