West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest: Which team has the toughest run-in in Premier League relegation battle?

Because the 2025-26 Premier League season races in the direction of its conclusion, the highlight is firmly fastened on one of the intriguing and entertaining relegation battles that the division has produced for a number of years.

Whereas each Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley have already had their demotion confirmed, the third and ultimate relegation place is but to be determined, and there are a number of groups nonetheless in rivalry.

West Ham United at present occupy 18th place, however simply three factors separate them from Sixteenth-placed Nottingham Forest, whereas the shock inclusion is Seventeenth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, with one of many Premier League’s large six golf equipment remarkably nonetheless battling for his or her survival.

With so little separating the three sides heading into the ultimate weeks of the marketing campaign, right here, Sports activities Mole assesses which workforce has the hardest run-in within the Premier League relegation battle.

West Ham United – 18th (36 factors, 35 video games)

West Ham United are the facet at present sitting contained in the relegation zone, with the Hammers having picked up 36 factors from their 35 league video games, leaving them one level behind Tottenham and three behind Nottingham Forest.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s facet usually are not solely worst positioned within the run-in, however additionally they head into their ultimate three fixtures off the again of a disappointing 3-0 loss to Brentford, which ended their run of two wins and one draw.

The Hammers do benefit from two dwelling video games of their ultimate three, however every fixture poses a major problem, with Arsenal visiting the London Stadium, a tough journey to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United and a final-day assembly with Leeds United.

Because the Gunners proceed combating for the title, Newcastle in rivalry for a European place and Leeds nonetheless with the potential of being dragged into the relegation battle, every of their opponents additionally has loads at stake.

Consequently, Santo and his West Ham facet face a tough run-in as they battle for his or her Premier League survival.

Tottenham Hotspur – Seventeenth (37 factors, 35 video games)

© Iconsport / PA Photographs

Tottenham Hotspur, reasonably remarkably, stay battling for his or her top-flight security, at present main West Ham United by only one level, however their type has taken an encouraging flip in latest video games.

Spurs are actually unbeaten of their final three and have received every of their final two matches, which is able to present them with loads of much-needed confidence as they put together for a tense ultimate few weeks of the marketing campaign.

Roberto De Zerbi’s facet will first face Leeds United at dwelling, which offers a very difficult opponent given the Whites are unbeaten of their final six Premier League video games, together with three wins and three attracts.

Spurs then comply with that up with a frightening journey to Stamford Bridge, the place rivals Chelsea will likely be determined to grab all three factors and supply a major dent in Tottenham Hotspur’s survival hopes.

Everton will then make the journey to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the ultimate day of the marketing campaign, offering a troublesome final fixture with the Toffees prone to be combating for his or her probability to return to European competitors for the primary time since 2017-18.

Total, with Spurs’ return to profitable methods in latest weeks, Tottenham Hotspur will fancy their possibilities heading into the ultimate video games of the season, however every match actually presents a possible stumbling block.

Nottingham Forest – Sixteenth (39 factors, 34 video games)

© Iconsport / SUSA

Lastly, Nottingham Forest head into the ultimate weeks of the marketing campaign in undeniably the strongest place, boasting a three-point lead over West Ham United and likewise having a sport benefit over their relegation rivals.

The Difficult Timber are additionally having fun with a stellar run of outcomes underneath Vitor Pereira, remaining undefeated of their final 9 matches throughout all competitions and final six Premier League encounters, that includes three wins and three attracts.

Nevertheless, Nottingham Forest do face the added problem of competing within the Europa League, by which they’re scheduled to face Aston Villa within the second leg of their semi-final – which they at present lead 1-0 – which means a European ultimate is also added to the schedule.

As Pereira juggles the calls for of competing in each the Europa League and Premier League, Nottingham Forest additionally face arguably the hardest run-in of the three groups, scheduled to conflict with Chelsea, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Bournemouth.

Nottingham Forest will likely be boosted by their dwelling fixtures in opposition to Newcastle and Bournemouth, whereas they may even be hoping that Manchester United’s motivation could possibly be unsure, because the Crimson Devils have already secured Champions League soccer and have little past pleasure at stake.

Who has the hardest run-in?

West Ham arguably face the hardest run-in on paper, however the stress will likely be higher on Tottenham Hotspur given the stature of the membership and the narrative surrounding their potential relegation, whereas Nottingham Forest’s fixture congestion will solely additional enhance the issue of their schedule.

In the end, all three groups will face their very own challenges within the ultimate weeks of the marketing campaign, and the relegation battle appears sure to ship additional twists earlier than the final demoted workforce is confirmed.