We are now into the final stretch of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and while there is plenty of interest in the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City, there is just as much excitement in the relegation battle. This is mainly because Tottenham Hotspur are now one of the prime candidates to go down.
At the foot of the table sit Wolves, and despite a recent resurgence, Rob Edwards' men look all but set to finish in the bottom three. As do Burnley, who have just three more points. The final spot, however, is up for grabs.
West Ham United and Nottingham Forest both have 28 points, with the Hammers in 18th due to goal difference. Tottenham sit just one place and one point ahead with nine games to play. Leeds, in 15th, then place another spot higher and two points clear of Spurs.
Fans of each team will be desperately checking the fixtures list, trying to work out which games they might have a chance of picking up a few vital points in. With that in mind, their final run of matches have each been ranked.
Leeds United
The good news for Leeds United is that they have, on paper, the easiest run of fixtures. Across their final nine games of the season, Daniel Farke's men hold an average league position of 13.2. While away trips to Manchester United and Bournemouth could be tricky, the 'strongest' team they will face at Elland Road is now Brentford, currently 7th.
A 1-0 home loss against Sunderland last time out wouldn't have helped nerves, but Leeds are masters of their own destiny here. The main worry, though, will be that they have to travel away to Tottenham and West Ham in two of the final three games of the season. That final-day trip to the London Stadium could be a relegation decider for the two teams.
Tottenham Hotspur
While many are shocked to see Tottenham languishing in 16th with just nine league games to finish, it should not be forgotten that the north London outfit finished 17th in 2024/25. Perhaps relegation would be a natural regression for a team that appears to have got so much wrong both on and off the pitch in the past few years. The club will be desperate to avoid the drop, and fortunately, they have an easier run-in than the two teams directly below them.
While an away trip to Liverpool next up is especially daunting, seeing as interim coach Igor Tudor has lost all three league games so far, Tottenham can fix things just a week later. Indeed, a home visit of Nottingham Forest could help Spurs wrestle back some control. Leeds also have to visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which could make for a pivotal encounter. Trips to Aston Villa and Chelsea in two of their final four games, however, almost guarantee a nervy end to the season.
Nottingham Forest
It says something that Nottingham Forest are on their fourth manager of the campaign, with Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche all sacked before Vitor Pereira came in. The Portuguese manager has been tasked with steadying things on the pitch, but with Forest chief Edu Gaspar also now fired, the City Ground is not exactly a picture of stability right now.
With all that chaos in mind, the club will be concerned by a fairly tricky run of fixtures to come, with the average league position of their final nine opponents being 9.8. A surprise point against Manchester City will have boosted spirits and the upcoming home match against Fulham will be targeted as a big opportunity to pick up just an eighth win of the season. After that, all eyes will be on Forest's trip to Tottenham – whatever happens there could be a turning point for either team.
West Ham
West Ham United have has a strange season which started miserably under Graham Potter and has only marginally improved under Nuno Espirito Santo. As a result, which nine games to play, they are stuck in the relegation zone and may have a tricky time as they try to escape.
The host Man City next before then going away to Aston Villa. Any kind of result against either team will be seen as a big bonus, with fans likely pessimistic about their team's chances. At least Wolves' visit will be viewed as a welcome opportunity to come into a game as favourites for once, but the remaining fixture list from that point on isn't too friendly. The only direct relegation rival West Ham play from then on is Leeds at home on the final day of the season. The loser of that may well find themselves playing Championship football in 2026/27.