Late Forest heartbreak changes relegation picture as rivals given golden chance
Nottingham Forest saw their survival hopes hit with a sucker punch on Saturday as Josh Da Silva netted a late winner for Brentford and provided the latest twist in what has arguably been one of the great battles to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Steve Cooper’s men looked to be en route to back-to-back victories after Brazilian midfielder Danilo had given them the lead in West London. A free-kick from Ivan Toney ten minutes from time got the hosts level before Da Silva's winner deep into added time secured victory.
Forest were left floored but the cheers from their rivals Leicester, Everton and Leeds could almost be heard from across the country. The fight to avoid demotion to the Championship now looks set to go the distance following the latest turn.
Take a look at how everything stands now and who is best positioned to avoid falling into the second-tier:
15) West Ham United - 34 points (-10 GD)
With a European semi-final to think about, David Moyes’ Hammers are not yet fully breathing easily. They lost 4-3 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to leave them five points clear of the drop zone.
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West Ham face Manchester City and Manchester United in back-to-back games before rounding off their season with clashes against Brentford and relegation rivals Leicester. They should be fine with a couple more points.
West Ham are still nervously glancing over their shoulder (Getty Images)Who do you think will be relegated from the Premier League? Share your predictions in the comments below
16) Leeds United - 30 points (-21 GD)
Their recent draw with Leicester kept them out of the relegation zone but didn’t do all too much for their survival prospects with just one point keeping them away from the bottom three. Javi Gracia’s men face another vital clash on Sunday as they travel to the South Coast to take on Bournemouth.
That game is even more important considering their fixture list takes a turn for the worse after that. Leeds take on Man City and Newcastle in back-to-back games before travelling to West Ham for the penultimate game of the season. Tottenham represent their final opponents of the campaign.
17) Nottingham Forest - 30 points (-32 GD)
On somewhat of a high after beating Brighton last time out, Forest now find themselves slumped following their late defeat to Brentford. Victory would have boosted their survival hopes hugely with the gap to the drop zone sitting at four points.
As it is, they have just a point advantage over neighbours Leicester. Cooper’s side have a valuable chance to pick up points next time against Southampton before showdowns Chelsea, title challengers Arsenal and in-form Crystal Palace to round-off the campaign.
Nottingham Forest missed a great opportunity to pull clear of the drop zone (Getty Images)18) Leicester City - 29 points (-13 GD)
After four points from their last two matches, Leicester head into Monday’s showdown with Everton with a golden chance to escape the clutches of the relegation zone. The Foxes have endured a dire campaign with 20 losses in the league already.
A win however would lift them to 16th and would be crucial ahead of difficult fixtures against Fulham, Liverpool and Newcastle. Dean Smith’s side round off their season against West Ham on the last day.
19) Everton - 28 points (-25 GD)
For the second-consecutive season, Everton are attempting to escape the threat of relegation and the showdown with Leicester on Monday could go a long way in deciding what league they will play in next season. Like the Foxes, they would jump out of the drop zone with victory.
They haven’t won in their last six games and after their trip to the East Midlands take on Brighton, Man City and Fulham. They will look to their final day showdown with Bournemouth as a vital opportunity but their fate could well be decided by then.
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Everton languish in 19th position ahead of a key clash with Leicester (Getty Images)20) Southampton - 24 points (-30 GD)
Now six points from safety following their miserable defeat to Bournemouth, it now appears more likely than not that the Saints will be playing Championship football next season. Their fixture list does not do them any favours either with the likes of Newcastle, Fulham, Brighton and Liverpool all to come.
A trip to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest next week represents a vital opportunity for points but even then that might not be enough for Southampton as they continue to be cut adrift.
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