Prelude to Premier League relegation: Remaining matches, key clashes and scheduled finals as six teams fight to stay top
The 2023/24 Premier League relegation battle is unlike any we have seen in recent times.
Everton and Nottingham Forest have received point deductions from the league for violating financial rules, which has had major ramifications on the rest of the league.
Initially, the Toffees received a ten-point deduction, which on appeal was reduced to six. The forest has been docked four points.
This means there are six teams locked in a dogfight until the end.
Here, talkSPORT.com takes a look at the battle to avoid the drop.
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Brentford – 15
It's been a tough season for Brentfordand they are still not safe.
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The Bees were deprived of Ivan Toney until January due to his ban for illegal betting on footballwhile it is one of the teams that has lost the most days due to injury.
Bryan Mbeumo, Aaron Hickey, Kevin Schade and Rico Henry, all key players, have been absent for much of the year.
In his remaining games, Thomas FrankThe men do not face any of the teams in the title race but he must play against Everton, Sheffield United and London.
In the end, they should be fine, but it's still been a disappointing campaign for the Bees.
Expected finish: 15th
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Brentford's remaining matches
Manchester United – H – March 30
Brighton – H – April 3
Aston Villa – A – April 6
Sheffield United – H – April 13
Luton – A – April 20
Everton – A – April 27
Fulham – H – May 4
Bournemouth – A – May 11
Newcastle – H – May 19
Everton – 16th
In a normal Premier League season, the Toffees would be just nine points shy of that magical mark of 40.
But due to their financial problems, the team is still in trouble and in bad shape.
Sean DycheGermany's men are winless in 11 league games after winning four in a row earlier in the year.
And looking at the games left, it's probably a good job they got those points because the Toffees have to face Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as BurnleyNottingham Forest, Luton and Sheffield United.
Those four are important games and Everton must pick up at least seven points, which should be enough to seal safety.
Expected finish: 17th
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Everton's remaining matches
Bournemouth – A – March 30
Newcastle – A – April 2
Burnley – H – April 6
Chelsea – A – April 15
Nottingham Forest – H – April 20
Brentford – H – April 27
Luton – A – May 4
Sheffield United – H – May 11
Arsenal – A – May 19
Liverpool-HN/A
Luton – 17
Despite being written off by everyone at the start of the season, Luton have a good chance of surviving their first Premier League campaign.
The Hatters have been a breath of fresh air and have been extremely entertaining, scoring more goals than Manchester United and almost twice as many as Sheffield United.
But Luton face very difficult games. They have to play against Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City, while the ties against Everton and Brentford must be won.
Ultimately, the Hatters should have enough to stay in the Premier League.
Expected finish: 16th
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Luton's remaining matches
Tottenham – A – March 30
Arsenal – A – April 3
Bournemouth – H – April 6
Manchester City – A – April 13
Brentford – H – April 20
Wolves – A – April 27
Everton – H – May 4
West Ham – A – May 11
Fulham – H – May 19
Nottingham Forest – 18
Even before the points deduction, Forest were struggling and decided to replace Steve Cooper with Nuno Holy Spirit.
The former Wolves boss has not had the impact expected and the Tricky Trees are in trouble.
They have only won one of their last nine games, so a return to the Championship is starting to look possible.
In the remaining matches, they will play Man City and Tottenham at the top of the table and also Everton, Sheffield United and Burnley.
It will be those parties that decide their fate, unless there is an appeal regarding the deduction of points.
Expected finish: 18th
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Nottingham Forest's remaining matches
Crystal Palace – H – March 30
Fulham – H – April 2
Tottenham – A – April 8
Wolves – H – April 13
Everton – A – April 20
Manchester City – H – April 27
Sheffield United – A – May 4
Chelsea – H – May 11
Burnley – A – May 19
Burnley – 19
For a team that swept the championship last year, much more was expected from Burnley.
However, the Clarets have proven to be naive and weak at the back.
Vicente KompanyThe ideas about the style of football they want to play are correct, but the players seem unable to execute them and relegation seems almost inevitable.
They are just five points from safety but have some tough games ahead of them, including Tottenham and Man United, while the clashes against Everton, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest are huge.
There is probably too much for Burnley to do this time.
Expected finish: 19.
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Burnley's remaining matches
Chelsea – A – March 30
Wolves – H – April 2
Everton – A – April 6
Brighton – H – April 13
Sheffield United – A – April 20
Manchester United – A – April 27
Newcastle – H – May 4
Tottenham – A – May 11
Nottingham Forest – M – May 19
Sheffield United – 20th
Unless things change drastically in the final games of the season, this Sheffield United team will go down as one of the worst the Premier League has ever seen.
The Blades have surpassed Derby's 11 points in the 2007/08 season, but are currently eight points adrift of safety and have conceded a ridiculous amount of goals.
Chris WilderThe team has scored 74 goals and been beaten numerous times this year.
They will fight until the end, but they still have to play against Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham.
The Blades made many mistakes in the summer, leading to what has been a chaotic campaign that will end with demotion to the Championship.
Expected finish: 20th
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Sheffield United's remaining fixtures
Fulham – H – March 30
Liverpool – A – April 4
Chelsea – H – April 7
Brentford – A – April 13
Burnley – H – April 20
Newcastle – A – April 27
Nottingham Forest – H – May 4
Everton – A – May 11
Tottenham – H – May 19
Man United – A – N/A
