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Premier League: Relegation Battle Matchweek 29

By Esteban Bailey

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Saido Berahino of Stoke City shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Stoke City and Leicester City at Bet365 Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Saido Berahino of Stoke City shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Stoke City and Leicester City at Bet365 Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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The Relegation Battle is likely to be the most interesting race in the Premier League table this year. With Matchweek 29 upon us, here are a few games to watch this weekend that should affect the outcome of who will be relegated.

Swansea vs. West Ham

Swansea is in the relegation zone, but they are only trailing West Ham by three points. The Swans will push hard for a victory while West Ham will feel that a draw will keep them far enough way from the drop zone.

West Ham’s remaining schedule includes matches against Man United, Chelsea, and Man City so a victory against Swansea may be necessary for the Hammers to feel more comfortable with their position in the top flight.

Andre Ayew should be debuting for Swansea against his former club West Ham and Swansea will likely look to him and his brother Jordan Ayew for the goals they have been sorely lacking this season.

“Chicharito” Hernandez will likely return to the starting lineup after being on the bench in West Ham’s 4-1 drubbing to Liverpool last weekend.

West Ham will like approach the game from a conservative point of view, as they cannot lose this match. But teams that go into games with the intent to not lose, often times find themselves losing.

Expect a draw, but an entertaining one.

Southampton vs. Stoke City

This has the potential to be the match of the weekend. Both teams have offensive firepower and lack defensive rigidity.

The last time Southampton faced a relegation team and was desperate for a win, the result was a 3-2 win vs. West Brom.

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While Southampton have not won in the League since, the next three weeks will likely decide whether Southampton will stay in the Premier League. Next weekend they will face Newcastle and then follow that up with a match Swansea City.

Southampton will face Arsenal, Chelsea, and Everton before their season finale against Man City, so Southampton needs to take points against their relegation rivals.

Stoke will try to find their first victory since Paul Lambert’s first match in charge against Huddersfield in January.

They have drawn three of their last four matches and with Southampton’s league leading 12 draws this season, it would be tempting to believe that this will be another draw for both teams.

However, fortune favors the bold, and I believe that both these teams will try to go for victory. Expect a goal in the opening ten minutes and then the game will truly take off.

With Shaquiri and Choupo-Moting on one side and Lemina, Tadic, and Gabbiadini on the other, there should be some fun moments in the match.

This is the game with the most stakes to watch this weekend and I’ll certainly be watching.

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