Up in the heights of the EPL, a relegation battle wages on as each club scraps for every chance of survival they can find.
More from Premier League
- Barcelona identify Newcastle star as Robert Lewandowski replacement
- Arsenal injury news: Mikel Arteta confirms “rapid” attacker suffered injury
- “600 days” Fans make SHOCK Chelsea revelation – They really are poor
- Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkid
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag pinpoints 4 players amid Brighton loss
Inevitably however, three of these fighters will fall into the division below. But down in English football’s second tier, who poses the prowess to pounce into the Premier League?
AFC Bournemouth and Watford have already secured their places, leaving the turbulent scrap known as the play-offs to begin now that the regular season has been completed. Some teams may have finished higher than others, but if history is any indicator, there is no reason to count any horse out of this race just yet.
3rd — Norwich, 86 pts
Rush The Kop
Out of the teams relegated from the Premier League last season, Norwich have proved to be the only one to hit the ground running. The side has looked like serious contender to get back to the Premier League all season long.
The Canaries have been the most clinical in front of goal of the four play-off contenders, having netted an impressive 88 goals this season. Star Forward Cameron Jermone’s 19 goals this campaign have been a testament to the threat the side posses.
A team coming up against this side will need to show the capacity to defend formidably or perhaps just out-score them, neither of which will be an easy task.
4th — Middlesborough, 85 pts
Since relegation in 2009, the Boro have endured a prolonged frustration thanks to their consistently unsuccessful campaigns in the English Championship.
However, Aitor Karanka has commanded a tenacious side who have shut out many teams this season with excellent defensive performances. In fact, no team in the Championship has conceded less goals this season than Middlesborough, with the side having only conceded 37 goals over the course of 46 games.
Ironically, Middlesborough lost their grip on the automatic promotion places during their visit to Craven Cottage, where Fulham put four goals past the Boro in a dramatic 4-3 encounter. Middlesbrough may not be where they are now had they not let their defensive duties slip.
5th — Brentford, 78 pts
An unlikely contender, perhaps, but a contender nonetheless. Brentford began their Championship campaign having just been promoted from the Sky Bet League One, but have shown no signs of stopping their upward ascent. The club now stand a realistic chance of achieving back-to-back promotions.
However, Brentford may be hindered by their defensive record. Out of the four contenders, the Bees’ have allowed the most goals with 59. Even teams such as Brighton & Hove Albion who narrowly avoided relegation have conceded less.
Brentford won’t be encouraged by the amount of points Middlebrough have over them, but as the aggregate ties between them will be the lowest scorers against the worst defense – it could go either way.
6th — Ipswich, 78 pts
More from The Top Flight
- Barcelona identify Newcastle star as Robert Lewandowski replacement
- Arsenal injury news: Mikel Arteta confirms “rapid” attacker suffered injury
- “600 days” Fans make SHOCK Chelsea revelation – They really are poor
- Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkid
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag pinpoints 4 players amid Brighton loss
The underdogs, as far as the table is concerned. But target man Daryl Murphy will certainly cause people to second guess.
The Irish forward is the Championship’s top scorer of this campaign, having found the net 27 times – statiscially making him out to be the second-tier’s deadliest striker.
The Tractor Boys have won the least number of games of any of the teams in the brawl for promotion, but all it could take for Ipswich is a few good chances to fall for them and not only could they find themselves on their way to Wembley, but even to the Premier League.
Considering they encounter Norwich for the aggregate games – with Daryl Murphy and Cameron Jerome spearheading their respective teams’ front lines, we could be due a couple of fixtures with many, many goals.
There you have it, a pletheora of reasons as to why any of the four teams promotion is plausible. However, as the victor of the top-flight fight is anyone’s guess, we’ll let the twists and turns of English football keep us guessing.