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The battle to avoid the drop from the Premier League in 2024 has reached a critical stage.
With the bottom six teams each having only four games remaining, points have become more precious than ever as the pressure mounts on those struggling for survival.
Sheffield United look to be doomed, but nothing is yet certain: there is still the prospect of one or two great escapes, while even Everton, celebrating so boisterously in midweek, are not quite safe.
The Toffees and Nottingham Forest are also in the midst of contesting Premier League points deductions, adding another layer to a fascinating scrap at the foot of the table.
The Sporting News is keeping a close watch on the race for survival over these final matchdays, culminating in the final day of the Premier League season on May 19.
Who will drop into the EFL Championship, and who will spend at least another season at the top table of English football? We'll find out soon enough.
Premier League relegated teams 2023/24
Before the start of games on matchday 35, the relegation places have not yet been confirmed. However, things are looking pretty bleak for Sheffield United in particular.
Premier League table: The bottom six
*Standings correct as of before matches on April 27, 2024
| Pos | Team | Matches Played |
Goals Scored |
Goal Difference |
Points | Next Match | Relegation Probability* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15. | Brentford | 34 | 52 | -7 | 35 | @ EVE, April 27 | >1% |
| 16. | Everton | 34 | 36 | -12 | 33 | vs. BRE, April 27 | 0.07% |
| 17. | Nottingham Forest | 34 | 42 | -18 | 26 | vs. MCI, April 28 | 35.78% |
| The bottom three teams are relegated to the EFL Championship | |||||||
| 18. | Luton Town | 34 | 47 | -28 | 25 | @ WOL, April 27 | 71.70% |
| 19. | Burnley | 34 | 37 | -32 | 23 | @ MUN, April 27 | 92.46% |
| 20. | Sheffield United | 34 | 33 | -59 | 16 | @ NEW, April 27 | 99.99% |
*Probabilities via The Analyst
Premier League relegation battle: Remaining fixtures
Brentford
| Fixture | Date |
| Everton vs. Brentford | April 27, 2024 |
| Brentford vs. Fulham | May 4, 2024 |
| Bournemouth vs. Brentford | May 11, 2024 |
| Brentford vs. Newcastle | May 19, 2024 |
Everton
| Fixture | Date |
| Everton vs. Brentford | April 27, 2024 |
| Luton Town vs. Everton | May 3, 2024 |
| Everton vs. Sheffield United | May 11, 2024 |
| Arsenal vs. Everton | May 19, 2024 |
Nottingham Forest
| Fixture | Date |
| N. Forest vs. Man City | April 28, 2024 |
| Sheff. United vs. N. Forest | May 4, 2024 |
| N. Forest vs. Chelsea | May 11, 2024 |
| Burnley vs. N. Forest | May 19, 2024 |
Luton Town
| Fixture | Date |
| Wolves vs. Luton Town | April 27, 2024 |
| Luton Town vs. Everton | May 3, 2024 |
| West Ham vs. Luton Town | May 11, 2024 |
| Luton Town vs. Fulham | May 19, 2024 |
Burnley
| Fixture | Date |
| Man United vs. Burnley | April 27, 2024 |
| Burnley vs. Newcastle | May 4, 2024 |
| Tottenham vs. Burnley | May 11, 2024 |
| Burnley vs. N. Forest | May 19, 2024 |
Sheffield United
| Fixture | Date |
| Newcastle vs. Sheff. United | April 27, 2024 |
| Sheff. United vs. N. Forest | May 4, 2024 |
| Everton vs. Sheff. United | May 11, 2024 |
| Sheff. United vs. Tottenham | May 19, 2024 |
Premier League relegation scenarios
After the end of matchday 34, no team had been officially relegated from the Premier League. Crystal Palace's win over Newcastle United ensured they are mathematically safe, so the battle to beat the drop is now between just six teams.
Sheffield United
Opta's supercomputer give Sheffield United a 99.99 percent chance of relegation as they head into the final four games of the season. If they lose to Newcastle United on April 27, they are down; even if they avoid defeat, they will be relegated later in the day if Nottingham Forest beat Everton.
Burnley
Burnley's upturn in form (just one defeat in seven league matches) has given them hope of survival when all seemed lost. However, with their next three games coming against Manchester United, Newcastle, and Tottenham, they are still facing a real battle to stay up.
If they can keep their heads above water over those three matches, they will face a potentially do-or-die final game against Nottingham Forest.
Luton Town
Luton started matchday 35 just a point from safety and they have winnable games coming up: they face a Wolves side whose season is petering out, then Everton, West Ham, and Fulham. That match with the Toffees on May 3 could be critical.
Nottingham Forest
Forest's 2-0 loss to Everton was potentially significant in their survival bid, although their fate remains in their hands: win their remaining games, and they are definitely safe. Their last four matches see them face title-hopefuls Manchester City, a remarkably inconsistent Chelsea, and two of the current bottom three. Beating Sheffield United and Burnley could be enough to see them stay up, but they would need help elsewhere.
Everton
Back-to-back 2-0 wins over Nottingham Forest and Liverpool mean Everton are almost there. Two more wins will guarantee their safety, and their next three matches are against fellow strugglers Brentford, Luton, and Sheffield United. They will want to visit Arsenal on the final day knowing their fate is secure.
Brentford
With a 10-point cushion to the bottom three, it is highly unlikely Brentford will now be relegated. One win from four games will be enough to guarantee their Premier League status for next season.
Premier League 2023/24 TV channels, live streams
Where to watch Liverpool in 2023/24 Premier League
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo |
Fubo, Peacock |
| Canada | — | |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| UK | Sky Sports, TNT Sports | NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime, Discovery Plus |
| India | Star Sports | JioTV, Hotstar |
UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and TNT Sports' streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime. TNT Sports can be streamed via Discovery Plus.
USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on Fubo. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streamed exclusively via Fubo in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil). The action can be streamed on JioTV and Hotstar.