Newcastle United & Leeds United set to confirm Premier League relegation as West Ham & Spurs battle on
Newcastle United are set to play a major part in the Premier League relegation battle between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Newcastle United’s Premier League season is effectively over with two games left to play.
The side’s brief relegation concerns have been quashed, but European qualification is also looking highly unlikely with the side sitting 13th, five points behind 8th with two games left to play.
Elliot Anderson’s late equaliser for Nottingham Forest on Sunday effectively ended Newcastle’s chances of securing European qualification for back-to-back seasons for the first time under Eddie Howe.
The Premier League relegation battle
While Newcastle’s league season has been underwhelming, a dramatic situation is unfolding further down the table between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Hammers were denied what could have been a crucial last-minute equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday as Callum Wilson’s goal was ruled out by VAR.
That gave Spurs the chance to move four points clear with two games left in the relegation battle by beating Leeds United on Monday night. Despite taking the lead through Mathys Tel, the Spurs forward then conceded a penalty that was converted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the match ended 1-1.
The point puts Spurs two points above West Ham with two games left to play. Roberto De Zerbi’s side travel to rivals Chelsea next Tuesday before hosting Everton on the final day.
Meanwhile, West Ham travel to Newcastle on Sunday knowing a win would take them out of the bottom three, albeit potentially temporarily. The Hammers then host Leeds on the final day of the season.
Newcastle United v West Ham United
While West Ham beat Newcastle earlier in the season and won 2-0 at St James’ Park last season, the Magpies have confirmed relegation of three clubs from the Premier League in the last four years.
In 2022, they beat Burnley at Turf Moor on the final day of the season to confirm their relegation. In 2024, a 5-1 win over Sheffield United confirmed the Blades’ relegation, and last season, a 3-0 win over Ipswich Town confirmed their relegation to the Championship.
West Ham can’t be relegated this weekend, but should they fail to win and Spurs beat Chelsea next Tuesday then it would confirm their relegation without kicking another ball after Newcastle.
Even a draw for Spurs would likely be enough if the Hammers lose due to goal difference.