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Assessing the run-ins for the main Premier League relegation candidates

We’ve fast-forwarded to the end of the campaign to take a look at the run-ins for the three relegation favourites, Luton, Sheffield United and Everton.

by
Fraser Crawford
October 3, 2023

It’s been a tough start to the season for many, but it’s not just the newly promoted teams that have struggled. Big six clubs Chelsea and Manchester United are yet to find their stride, while established Premier League teams such as Everton and Wolves also find themselves scrapping for points.

We’ve fast-forwarded to the end of the campaign to take a look at the run-ins for the three relegation favourites, in order to see which sides will want to get points on the board sooner rather than later.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United already find themselves under pressure early on this season. There is a good chance they go into the majority of their games this campaign as underdogs in the football odds, and they are currently priced at 9/2 to win at Craven Cottage and 9/2 to beat Manchester United on home soil.

Unfortunately for Blades fans, one thing they are favourites for is relegation. The Premiership relegation odds currently have Sheffield United (1/7), Luton (1/4) and Everton (17/10) as favourites to suffer the dreaded drop.

As for their Premier League run-in, that doesn’t offer much hope for Paul Heckingbottom and his team. Their last 10 games are scheduled to be Manchester United (A), Fulham (H), Liverpool (A), Chelsea (H), Brentford (A), Burnley (H), Newcastle (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Everton (A), and Tottenham (A).

That’s fixtures against four of the traditional big six, three of which are on the road. Not to mention a trip to St. James’ Park!

51%. ✅

The best win ratio of any Sheffield United manager in the top two divisions. Paul Heckingbottom. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OrkwBpzPdY

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) September 18, 2023

Luton

Many had written off Luton before the season had begun. They have a smaller transfer budget than any other Premier League club and came into the season with largely the same squad that earned them promotion via the Championship play-offs.

However, they will take confidence from their first Premier League victory, a 2-1 win away at Goodison Park. They rode their luck at times but came away from a tricky away trip with all three points, and more importantly, took points off another prime relegation candidate.

Luton’s run-in come the end of the season is a little kinder than Sheffield United’s, and this could prove pivotal. They are set to face Nottingham Forest (H), Tottenham (A), Arsenal (A), Bournemouth (H), Manchester City (A), Brentford (H), Wolves (A), Everton (H), West Ham (A), and Fulham (H).

Games on the road against Spurs, Arsenal, and City aren’t those that will define their season. Instead, it will be battling against the likes of Forest, Bournemouth, and Everton that decide their fate, and they are at home for all three. They end the season with a home game against Fulham, which could prove incredibly important as we approach the end of the season.

Everton

The Toffees narrowly avoided relegation last season by just two points, but they are among those struggling to get points on the board this campaign. They have already faced both the other relegation favourites Sheffield United and Luton, taking just one point from the two games.

Sean Dyche has an impressive record when it comes to keeping teams afloat but he won’t like the look of his side’s run-in. They will take on Liverpool (H), Bournemouth (A), Newcastle (A), Burnley (H), Chelsea (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Brentford (H), Luton (A), Sheffield United (H), and Arsenal (A).

Not only do they have a Merseyside derby to kick off their final 10 games, but they also have to go away to Newcastle, Chelsea, and Arsenal. The fixtures to watch out for will be Luton and Sheffield United, which make up two of their last three games. Dyche will be hoping he can secure Everton’s Premier League status before heading to the Emirates to face a title-chasing Arsenal on the final day of the season.