Premier League relegation picture: Who is going down?

The battle for Premier League survival continues – but which of the contenders are best placed to avoid the drop?

Frank Lampard’s Everton side have opened up a three-point gap over the bottom three after a late 1-0 win against Newcastle on March 17. They also have two games in hand over 18th-placed Watford.

Brentford had pulled away from trouble after beating Burnley 2-0 in west London, with back-to-back wins over teams in the bottom three taking them eight points clear of the relegation zone – but defeat at Leicester means their top-flight status is far from secured.

Burnley, meanwhile, are now on a run of three league defeats in a row, with just one point separating themselves and Watford. However, Sean Dyche’s side boast a superior goal difference to both teams.

Leeds eased their relegation fears with a dramatic 3-2 win over Wolves to move seven points clear of safety.

The result spells more misery for Norwich, who are now eight points adrift of safety with nine games left to play after back-to-back defeats to relegation rivals in the space of four days.

Watford leapfrogged Burnley into 18th following the 2-1 win at Southampton – their first victory in their last five league outings. Everton’s 1-0 win over Newcastle moved them three points clear of the Hornets.

Here, we take a look at the state of play, odds and key fixtures as the relegation picture hots up…

Newcastle

Newcastle have been transformed under Eddie Howe and – despite back-to-back defeats – appear likely to become the first team to avoid the drop after failing to win any of their first 14 matches.

A tough trip to Tottenham is followed by three successive home games and, after a trip to bottom club Norwich, they face Liverpool, Manchester City and then Arsenal before visiting relegation-rivals Burnley on the final day.

Position:14th
Games played: 29
Points: 31
Current form: WDWWWLL
Next fixture: Tottenham (A)
Relegation Sky Bet odds: 33/1

Key fixtures to note: April 3: Norwich (a), May 22: Burnley (a).

Brentford

Recent back-to-back wins put the brakes on Brentford’s slide as they look to extend their stay in the Premier League beyond one season.

They return to action at Chelsea and then play West Ham before a trip to fellow strugglers Watford.

They must also play Tottenham and Manchester United and if the clubs below them keep picking up points, the Bees’ survival could hinge on dogfights against Everton (away) and Leeds (home) in their last two games.

Position: 15th
Games played: 30
Points: 30
Current form: DLLWWL
Next fixture: Chelsea (A)
Relegation Sky Bet odds: 6/1

Key fixtures to note: April 16: Watford (a), May 15: Everton (a), May 22: Leeds (h).

Leeds

Stoppage-time winners in both their last two matches have given Leeds a huge lift, but they have plenty still to do under new head coach Jesse Marsch. Their next two matches against Southampton (home) and Watford (away) could prove pivotal.

They might not need to hit the magical 40-point mark, but with fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal still to come they cannot afford to lose hard-earned momentum.

Position: 16th
Games played: 30
Points: 29
Current form: LLLLWW
Next fixture: Southampton (H)
Relegation Sky Bet odds: 3/1

Key fixtures to note: April 9: Watford (a), April 16: Chelsea (h), May 22: Brentford (a).

Everton

Everton would be one of the Premier League’s biggest-ever casualties if they were to lose top-flight status for the first time since 1951 and since Frank Lampard’s arrival, it has not gone to plan, with five defeats in seven league games.

The Toffees have games in hand, but face arguably the toughest run-in as fixtures against West Ham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea lie in wait before a last-day trip to Champions League-chasing Arsenal.

Position: 17th
Games played: 27
Points: 25
Current form: LWLLLLW
Next fixture: West Ham (A)
Relegation Sky Bet odds: 5/2

Key fixtures to note: April 23: Liverpool (a), April 30: Chelsea (h), May 15: Brentford (h).

Watford

It looks bleak for third-bottom Watford, but victory at Southampton in their last match has given them hope.

While five of their remaining games are at home – including visits from relegation-rivals Leeds, Brentford and Burnley – they have lost their last eight at Vicarage Road and in their four remaining away fixtures, Roy Hodgson’s side face Liverpool, Manchester City and Crystal Palace before a last-day trip to Chelsea.

Position: 18th
Games played: 29
Points: 22
Next fixture: Liverpool (A)
Current form: WLDLLW
Relegation Sky Bet odds: 1/6

Key fixtures to note: April 9: Leeds (h), April 16: Brentford (h), April 30: Burnley (h).

Burnley

Burnley return to action against Manchester City and their chances of avoiding the drop may hinge on the following back-to-back games against Everton (home) and Norwich (away).

The Clarets, who have won only three times in the Premier League this season, have pulled through in worse situations, but must collect points from their games in hand. Sean Dyche’s survival skills are going to be sorely tested.

Position: 19th
Games played: 27
Points: 21
Next fixture: Man City (H)
Current form: WWDLLL
Relegation Sky Bet odds: 8/13

Key fixtures to note: April 9: Norwich (a), April 30: Watford (a), May 22: Newcastle (h).

Norwich

Most Canaries fans have accepted the inevitable – their side are eight points from safety with nine games left – but will be hoping Dean Smith’s side go down fighting.

They showed spirit to force a late equaliser at Leeds in their last match, but the home side’s stoppage-time winner was a crushing blow. It condemned Norwich to a sixth-straight league defeat for the third time this season and supporters can only hope the campaign does not end in a whimper.

Position: 20th
Games played: 29
Points: 17
Current form: LLLLLL
Next fixture: Brighton (A)
Relegation Sky Bet odds: 1/100

Key fixtures to note: April 9: Burnley (h), April 23: Newcastle (h).

Watch the race for Premier League survival unfold live on Sky Sports