So it looks set to be a battle for survival in the closing weeks of the campaign with two from possible three sides battling it out not to join Aston Villa in the Championship next season.
It will be two from Sunderland, Newcastle United and Norwich City who will be experiencing life out of the Premier League next term.
An upturn in form in recent weeks has seen Newcastle United give themselves a great chance of survival, and with bitter rivals Sunderland also in danger what a buzz it would be for either sides fans to relegate their rivals.
One thing is for sure though the battle will go down to the final day, and the fans will not expect anything less than 100% effort from the three sides in danger, and we all wait with baited breath to see who survives.
Our landlord here in The Tavern has been looking at the squad lists of the three sides in danger and has come up with a best combined PL relegation XI……..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE BEST PL RELEGATION XI!
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Tim Krul
The Dutch goalkeeper is a major influence and steps up with some major saves when needed.
Unfortunately for Newcastle he suffered an injury which ruled him out for the season, and you can’t help but think with his experience between the posts, Newcastle may not have conceded so many and would be comfortable in mid-table.
Russell Martin
The Scottish international is a vital part of the backline for the Canaries.
Martin has suffered relegation from the Premier League with the Norfolk club before and will be hoping not to suffer the same fate come the end of the current season.
He has popped up with the odd goal this season and many of the lesser fancied sides in the Premier League would love a player like him in his squad.
John O’Shea
The Republic Of Ireland international has been a steady influence at the back for the Wearsider’s this season.
Unfortunately for him the club have been dragged into yet another dogfight that they didn’t think they would be in at the beginning of the season, given the calibre of players signed last summer.
Jamaal Lascelles
The young centre back joined Newcastle last summer from Nottingham Forest, and has not been shy to let the squad know what he thinks.
Didn’t feature much for the club under previous manager Steve McClaren, but has made the centre back position his own since being given the chance by Rafa Benitez.
He will only get better and don’t be surprised if Newcastle go down that they will recieve a lot of offers for the youngster this summer.
DeAndre Yedlin
The American international made a name for himself at the World Cup in 2014 and encouraged Tottenham to make a move for the player.
Yedlin was sent out on loan to Sunderland and has taken his opportunity well, and has caused many defences a problem with his rampaging runs from the back, his final ball in could use some work but he is still learning and it will come given time.
Nathan Redmond
The young winger has not looked back since joining Norwich City from Birmingham.
He has a bright future ahead of him and has tormented many a defence in the Premier League this season.
Has popped up with the odd goal and as he gets older he will no doubt become a future star in the Premier League.
Moussa Sissoko
Not the most vintage of seasons for the Frenchman but he is starting to put in the performances we know he is capable of in recent weeks.
On his day he can be unplayable and his rampaging runs from midfield can result in the odd spectacular goal that sends the St James Park crowd wild.
Jonny Howson
The former Leeds midfielder has continued his development since joining Norwich, and is another who most Premier League sides would love to be part of their squads.
His combative nature and ability to pick out a pass along with scoring the odd screamer make him a firm fan favourite at Carrow Road and as he gets older he is becoming a key figure in Norwich’s style of play.
Andros Townsend
The winger has been a major influence on Newcastle’s upturn in form in recent weeks.
Has took a while to settle on Tyneside but now looks to be replicating the form that got him into the England squad during his time at White Hart Lane.
Can also score the odd cracker or two and is a total nightmare to defend against when he is on song.
Jermain Defoe
Well what hasn’t been said about this nuisance striker who can make a goal out of nothing.
Despite Sunderland’s struggles this term, Defoe has not found it hard finding the back of the net.
At one stage earlier in the season he appeared out of favour but Defoe being the experienced player he is grabbed his opportunity when recalled to the first team starting line up.
Aleksander Mitrovic
Despite not replicating the form that persuaded Steve McClaren to spend big on the striker last summer, it appears that Mitrovic has finally found his feet.
Newcastle’s survival will rest upon his shoulders in the closing weeks of the season and you can be sure that he will give his all to the cause, as long as he keeps himself out of trouble with the officials he could be the difference between the three sides battling to maintain their Premier League futures.
