Newcastle United will play a major part in the Premier League relegation battle between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United this weekend.
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Newcastle United will play a big part in the Premier League relegation battle, with their own season set to come to an underwhelming conclusion.
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 effectively ended Newcastle’s chances of securing European qualification for back-to-back seasons for the first time under Eddie Howe.
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Spurs & West Ham relegation battle
While Newcastle’s league season has been frustrating and disappointing, 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 last 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 on 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 and Leeds, having steered themselves clear of relegation, are set to play a major role in who survives the drop or not. Spurs have never been relegated from the Premier League and, as a so-called ‘big six’ club who took part in this season’s Champions League, to see them drop to the Championship would be viewed as the most shocking Premier League relegation to date.
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Newcastle United: The relegators
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.