Relegation run in

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

Sooo, first game up is Fulham vs Hull on Saturday 26th 3pm. Hull sit on 36 points in 14th, so will wish to put any thoughts of relegation behind them. Their away record is W3 D2 L11, with Fulhams home record being W5 D1 L11.

Next up is ourselves, away to Man Utd at 5.30pm just after Fulham have played.

Sunderland play Cardiff at home in their next game on Sunday 27th. Draw the best result for us obviously. Sunderland''s home record W3 D3 L10, Cardiff''s away record W2 D4 L11 so a draw very possible based on this record.

They all then play at 3pm on Saturday May 3rd, with us playing a day later on Sunday 4th at 4pm. Fulham are away at Stoke with Stoke''s home record being W9 D6 L2 and Fulhams away record being W4 D2 L12. Good chance of a home win in this game based on these records but the how much Stoke are on the beach factor might prove crucial in this game. Sunderland are away to Man Utd, whose home record is W7 D3 L6. Sunderlands away record is not too shabby, W4 D5 L9. Every chance Sunderland could get something here (but then I suppose that gives us hope as well). Cardiff play Newcastle away. Newcastle''s home record is W7 D3 L8, Cardiff''s away record again is W2 D4 L11. Could go either way. We of course then go to Chelsea.

Sunderland then play their game in hand. They play West Brom at home. A draw not the worst result in the world if West Brom are still in the mire, but obvioulsy a West Brom win is probably the result to hope for. Sunderlands home record as mentioned, not the greatest W3 D3 L10. West Broms away record is W3 D6 L7, so hard to beat, but not likely to win. Draw realistic.

We then move to the final game of the season. We are at home where statistically we have been far better and before Liverpool put 3 past us, we had a very mean defence. We are playing Arsenal of course. Fulham are at home to Palace, who are probably well clear, but who knows if they might be worried about sanctions in the light of the teamsheet saga. Fulham''s home record W5 D1 L11, Palace''s away record W5 D2 L11. Almost identical records, which suggests a draw (even though in terms of mode that is the least likely outcome. Fulhams desire might just show through more). Cardiff are at home to Chelsea. Cardiff''s home record is W5 D5 L8 (not too bad) Chelsea''s away record is W8 D4 L5. Would probably suggest a Chelsea win and will be hoping not to add Cardiff to losses against Palace and Sunderland, but its the last day, they''l probably have lost the title, so who knows how much theyll care. Sunderland play Swansea at home. Swansea likely to be safe by then so again may not care. Sunderlands home record W3 D3 L10. Swanseas away record W4 D4 L10. Feeling Sunderland will win this one.

Sunderland have 3 out of 4 of their games left at home, ordinarily an advantage, and probably will be at this stage of the season with the home crowd likely to be supportive in the final drive, though records up to now suggest otherwise.

Its an interesting finale, and very difficult to call

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

For direct comparison

Norwich

Man Utd (A)

Chelsea (A)

Arsenal (H)

Fulham

Hull (H)

Stoke (A)

Palace (H)

Cardiff

Sunderland (A)

Newcastle (A)

Chelsea (H)

Sunderland

Cardiff (H)

Man Utd (A)

West Brom (H)

Swansea (H)

[PurpleCanary 5,554]

[quote user="The Great Mass Debater"]For direct comparison

Norwich

Man Utd (A)

Chelsea (A)

Arsenal (H)

Fulham

Hull (H)

Stoke (A)

Palace (H)

Cardiff

Sunderland (A)

Newcastle (A)

Chelsea (H)

Sunderland

Cardiff (H)

Man Utd (A)

West Brom (H)

Swansea (H)[/quote]What today did not do was badly damage our goal difference, in the game of the last four that seemed most likely to do that.So:Norwich 32 pts  -28GD.Cardiff 30 pts  - 34GD.Fulham 30 pts  -42GD.Sunderland 29 pts  -24 GD.

[JF 694]

I can make a case for Cardiff only getting one more point, and a case for Fulham only getting 2 more. But that Sunderland result against Chelsea and with their remaining fixtures is now looking very concerning. I think we are going to need 4 more poins to stay above them with our worse GD.

[Mr Jenkins 0]

Sunderland are on a bit of a role, but their home form is shocking.

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

Cardiff seem to be the lesser of the three threats, though write anyone off at your peril. I thought Sunderland were out of it, but they seem to be the greater threat now

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

So, first move in the chess game that is relegation survival is Fulham Vs Hull today at 3pm. Come on you tigers!

[RvWs 4 year contract 0]

Fulham win surely? [:(]

[4th floor 4]

Indirectly related, Everton are 2-0 down at halftime vs Southampton. Has to be good for our game later on if Man U see their chances of a Europa place slipping away. In a similar vein I hope Tottenham beat Stoke too.

[4th floor 4]

[quote user="JonnyH"]Indirectly related, Everton are 2-0 down at halftime vs Southampton. Has to be good for our game later on if Man U see their chances of a Europa place slipping away. In a similar vein I hope Tottenham beat Stoke too.[/quote]Arsenal are more secure in 4th now Everton have lost, ie looking good for them resting players when we play them.Tottenham currently 1 up vs Stoke.

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

Yes, Everton result a great event for us. If Arsenal capitalise, every chance they will have 4th place sewn up by the last game of the season - that has to improve our chances of getting something against them if they have nothing to play for

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

Looking at the Cardiff vs Sunderland game, what do people think is the order of preference?

Obviously a draw is the best outcome as both teams stay behind us, but if one team were to win, which would be the worst result? If Cardiff won, theyd go above us by one point (assuming we dont get anything from Utd). If Sunderland win, they would also go above us, but only on goal difference. They of course though have their game in hand and are the team with some momentum. They would seem the greater threat.

We desperately need them to draw dont we?

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

Just saw the thread dedicated to the Cardiff v Sunderland connundrum. Apologies

[Yellow Bird 0]

Fulham now 2-0 up. Puts us in the bottom 3

[kick it off 1,948]

[quote user="Yellow Bird"]Fulham now 2-0 up. Puts us in the bottom 3[/quote]

F********************************

[mrs miggins 0]

i''m gonna go

Norwich

Sunderland

Cardiff

to go down in that order, but you never know

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

Interesting to see how this all panned out. Records are still important though. Sunderland have 2 home games left - their home record now W4 D3 L10. West Broms away record W3 D6 L9 (so this game could go either way, with at least a draw looking likely). Swanseas away record now W4 D4 L10.

So both match ups sees teams with similar records.

Arsenals away record W10 D2 L6, our home record W6 D6 L6.

Think we have every chance of beating Arsenal, only question is will it still matter?

[4th floor 4]

If there''s one hope to cling on to it''s that Sunderland are going to be quite tired after playing their catch up games. Also the West Brom and Swansea managers will be trying to get their jobs full time, hopefully this ensures that their teams aren''t ''on the beach''.