Interesting summary here - noting that our recent results has been built on defensive ssuccess.
Burnley, Everton and Leeds are all battling for survival in the Premier League. Jake Osgathorpe has all you need to know for the relegation fight, including a data dive into all three sides.
On average, over the past 10 seasons, 35 points has been enough to retain your spot in England's top-flight, with no side going higher than that across the past five campaigns.
It looks like more will be needed this season as Everton reached that mark with
a rare away win at Leicester and moved past it by drawing at Watford, though they missed a golden opportunity to secure safety when 2-1 up on Brentford at the weekend only to lose 3-2.
Leeds moved out of the relegation zone after a last-gasp equaliser against Brighton, being replaced by Burnley who were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham.
The Clarets have a game in hand on Leeds, meaning the fight to avoid the drop will go all the way to the final game of the season. Jake Osgathorpe assesses the three teams fighting to avoid joining Norwich and Watford in the Championship.
Current Premier League table
16. Everton | Played: 36 | Points: 36 | Goal Difference: -20
17. Leeds | Played: 37 | Points: 35 | Goal Difference: -38
18. Burnley | Played: 36 | Points: 34 | Goal Difference: -18
Premier League relegation odds (via Sky Bet)
- 8/11 - Leeds
- 6/4 - Burnley
- 15/2 - Everton
Odds correct at 1310 (17/05/22)
Will Leeds be relegated?
- Leeds remaining fixtures - Sunday, May 22: Brentford (A)
- Infogol % chance of relegation: 57.8%
Leeds are out of the bottom three thanks to a
last-gasp point against Brighton on Sunday, but their inferior goal difference puts them in a real predicament, especially as Burnley have a game in hand.
Jesse Marsch hasn't done anything wrong since his appointment, despite Leeds finding themselves in the current predicament.
The Whites have picked up 12 points from a possible 33, but have played three of the top five in that time, and even if we include those games their underlying process has been at a level we have come to expect from Leeds over the last few years (
1.51 xGF, 1.59 xGA per game).
Exclude those three games, and against 'the rest' under Marsch they have averaged
1.78 xGF and 1.36 xGA per game - that process is very good, and if that level is hit on Sunday, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them beat Brentford.
All in all, the Whites have performed like a mid-table team under their American coach. He couldn't have really done much more.
The Infogol model gives the Whites a
23% chance of winning at Brentford on the final day, and a 44% chance of avoiding defeat, meaning more likely than not they will need Burnley to slip up drastically if they are to survive.
How much have Burnley improved?
- Burnley remaining fixtures: Thursday, May 19: Aston Villa (A), Sunday, May 22: Newcastle (H)
- Infogol % chance of relegation: 35.6%
Unlike Leeds, Burnley have two games of the season remaining, and one point from those two games may prove to be enough depending on Leeds' result on the final day, which is why the Clarets are still second favourites for the drop.
They were well-beaten by Tottenham at the weekend,
generating just 0.64 xGF in a second successive defeat, and Mike Jackson's side need to get back to their creative ways for the final two games of the campaign.
In total, the Clarets have generated an
average of 1.65 xGF per game since sacking Sean Dyche. Over the 30 games under Dyche they averaged 1.09 xGF per game, so we have seen an upturn due to a more attack-minded approach.
Only in games against West Ham (
2.86 xGA) and Tottenham (2.34) - two of the top seven - have Burnley looked exposed defensively, allowing 1.22 xGA per game across their other four fixtures, so all the signs are there that they are a better side post-Dyche.
Villa away will be a tough test, with Steven Gerrard's side having recently beaten Burnley at Turf Moor, as will a hosting of a Newcastle side fresh from a 2-0 win over Arsenal, but, if Burnley continue doing what they have been doing against 'the rest', then they should pick up points.
Have Everton done enough to survive?
- Everton remaining fixtures: Thursday, May 19: Crystal Palace (H), Sunday, May 22: Arsenal (A)
- Infogol % chance relegation: 6.6%
Everton have pulled themselves out of the mire and into a strong position to survive, holding a two point advantage over third-bottom Burnley while also having two games left to play.
One win is all that is required to guarantee safety, and a home game against Crystal Palace looks the most likely place that it will come, though Arsenal appeared mentally shot on Monday night against Newcastle.
The Toffees may fancy their chances at the Emirates, but their home form and process under Frank Lampard means there is more chance they get a result on Thursday against Palace.
A total of 13 of the 17 points they have collected under Lampard have come at Goodison Park, with their underlying process (
1.19 xGF, 1.12 xGA per game) highlighting just how difficult they have been to beat on their own patch.
Since Lampard was appointed, Everton have actually got a better home xG process (
+0.07 xGD per game) than his former employers Chelsea (+0.06), while their defensive process is bettered by only seven sides.
If they are to get a result against Palace on Thursday, which is absolutely possible if they continue to perform as they have done at Goodison, then it is likely to come in a low-scoring, ground out fashion.
But, despite a good run of form, the Toffees aren't out of the woods yet.