Sheffield United’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed after their 5-1 defeat to Newcastle United last month and two of Nottingham Forest, Luton Town and Burnley will join them.
Those three clubs are separated by five points with two games left to play.
This has been the season of the asterisk due to clubs being hit with points deductions for breaches of profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
However, it was confirmed on Tuesday Forest were unsuccessful in their appeal against a four-point deduction while on Friday, Everton withdrew their appeal against a second points deduction.
| Position | Team | Played | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
17 | 36 | -18 | 29* | |
18 | 36 | -29 | 26 | |
19 | 36 | -35 | 24 | |
20 (R) | 36 | -65 | 16 | |
*Deducted four points |
Which clubs are safe?
While Sheffield United are the only club whose relegation from the top tier has been confirmed, everyone from Brentford in 16th upwards are safe for another season.
Thomas Frank’s side are on 36 points, 10 clear of Luton Town in 18th with two games left and six points available.
Which clubs are at risk?
Forest, Luton and Burnley are the three clubs fighting it out to avoid joining Sheffield United in the Championship.
Should Luton and Burnley go down, it would be just the second time in Premier League history that all three promoted sides were immediately relegated (after Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Crystal Palace in 1997-98).
Advertisement
With Forest three points clear of Luton and five ahead of Burnley, safety is in their hands, whereas Luton and Burnley will require Forest to slip up.
To add intrigue, Burnley host Forest on the final day of the season.
What are the key games?
On May 11, all three clubs at risk play London clubs: Forest — Chelsea (H), Luton — West Ham (A), Burnley — Tottenham (A).
Only Luton and/or Burnley can be relegated this weekend, while Forest’s survival can be confirmed.
On May 19, the final day, Luton host Fulham while Burnley and Forest face off at Turf Moor.
| Nottingham Forest | Luton Town | Burnley |
|---|---|---|
May 11: Chelsea (h) | May 11: West Ham (a) | May 11: Tottenham (a) |
May 19: Burnley (a) | May 19: Fulham (h) | May 19: Nottingham Forest (h) |
What are the permutations?
Forest will be safe on May 11 if they win and Luton fail to claim victory themselves. If Forest draw, they will be safe if Luton lose and Burnley fail to win. If Forest do secure safety, then Luton and Burnley will be relegated.
If Forest lose and Luton win on May 11, then both sides will go into the final day level on points, although Forest’s goal difference is currently 11 better than Luton’s.
Burnley have to win on May 11 to stand any chance of surviving. However, even if they win and Forest draw, then Forest will be three points clear and currently have a goal difference 17 better than Burnley’s.
What about points deductions and appeals?
Oh yes, of course.
Forest discovered on Tuesday they had been unsuccessful in their appeal against a four-point deduction for a PSR breach while Everton withdrew their appeal against the second PSR breach and subsequent two-point deduction on Friday.
(Top photos: Paul Harding; Justin Tallis/AFP; Matt McNulty; all via Getty Images)