Everton holds the key in battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League
Former English Premier League winner Robbie Slater casts his eye over which two teams are likely to join Southampton in being relegated.
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The feeling of surviving a relegation battle can be just as good as the joy involved with winning the title.
Having experienced both situations during my time in the English Premier League, the relief that sweeps over you when you avoid the drop is enormous and comparable to the euphoria that comes topping the table.
While Southampton’s relegation is already confirmed, much to my sadness as a former Saint, three clubs – Everton, Leicester City and Leeds – will be fighting for their survival on Monday morning (AEST).
As is always the case, all matches in the final round of the EPL season are being played at the same time, which just adds the drama and suspense.
Of the three teams, Everton’s fate is totally in their own hands.
The Toffees are in 17th spot and two points ahead of both Leicester and Leeds.
Therefore if Everton beat Bournemouth, which I’m tipping to happen, they will be safe regardless of what Leicester and Leeds do in their games.
However, should Everton draw or lose, Leicester – who have a better goal difference that the Toffees – will stay up if they can record a home win over another one of my old teams, West Ham.
It’s tougher for Leeds, who have the worst goal difference of the three teams. They may need a big home win over Spurs to have any chance of surviving.
Whichever two teams do join Southampton in going down to the second-tier English Championship, it’s a lesson that nothing can be taken for granted.
Leicester, who captured the hearts of football fans worldwide in 2016 in defying massive odds to win the title and backed it up in 2021 by winning the FA Cup final, have suffered a massive fall from grace.
It will be a shame for Socceroos defender Harry Souttar, who only moved to the club in January from Championship club Stoke City on a five-year deal.
Unless results go his team’s way on Monday morning, Souttar will be heading back to the second-tier of English football must sooner that what he would have hoped.
Originally published as Everton holds the key in battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League
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