With the English Premier League Title already secured for Manchester City, the big question going into the season’s final weekend is who will be staying at the highest level of English Football. The Premier League’s relegation race sees three teams fighting for one spot with the two lowest finishers of the group heading down to the Championship – the second tier of English Football.
Southhampton’s 20th-place finish on the table guarantees their relegation. Nottingham Forest clinched their place in the Premier League by shocking Arsenal last weekend. That leaves Everton, Leeds United, and Leicester City to fight for one final spot. Let’s take a look at each squad and see what they need in order to avoid relegation in 2023.
Everton
Everton sits in the driver’s seat heading into championship Sunday. Relegation will be avoided if the Toffees win against Bournemouth at home in Goodison Park. A draw could spell trouble but still allow enough wiggle room for Everton to stay up. Thanks to their goal differential advantage over Leeds. A loss? Everton could still theoretically advance but their fate would be entirely out of their hands.
Everton avoid relegation in the following scenarios:
Everton win
Leeds and Leicester both lose or draw
Everton draw, Leeds win, and Leicester draw or lose
Leeds United
To have any hope of avoiding relegation, Leeds must win on championship Sunday. They will also need some assistance as Everton must suffer a defeat. Leeds are at home for their final match of the year but while a match-up against a Top 6 side would normally be cause for concern – Tottenham have been flagging to end the season and a win is certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Still, given the circumstances required for Leeds to advance, their odds are not great.
Leeds avoid relegation in the following scenarios:
Leeds win, Everton lose, Leicester draw or lose
Leicester City
Just seven years ago, the Foxes claimed the Premier League title – a testament to how quickly fortunes can turn at the highest level of the sport. Now? Leicester are fighting to stay in the top flight. Like Leeds, Leicester will also need to win and have some help from Everton to avoid relegation. However, Leicester do possess the best goal differential of the three teams hoping to avoid relegation giving them a little more room to advance when they host West Ham in King Power Stadium. Their point against Newcastle on the road on Monday also gives them a bit of hope.
Leicester avoid relegation in the following scenarios:
Leicester win, Everton draw or lose
No matter what happens this weekend it is sure to be an exciting weekend of action in the highest level of English Football. All ten games will kick off at 10:30 a.m. CT making for a thrilling conclusion.