Article: Elation or Relegation? The Business End of the 2021-22 EPL Season

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By Jonathan Lewis | April 5 2022

The sharp end to the English Premier League (EPL) season is back once again, with top teams seeking places in the Champions League or Europa League. But at the bottom of the table, the struggle to avoid relegation to the championship is drawing to a close, with high drama and greater stakes. Burnley’s victory over struggling teammates Everton could be a pivotal result in determining the outcome.

Sean Dyche’s side beat the Toffees in a thrilling showdown at Turf Moor, causing huge pressure on Everton coach Frank Lampard. Burnley’s stomachs will reignite, led by younger players including Nathan Collins, the Premier League’s top scorer. Let’s take a look at the teams fighting to survive in the toughest league in the world.

Who’s in the scrap?

Premier League newcomer Brentford appears to have secured their survival in the top flight with a stunning 4-1 win away to European champions Chelsea. They are sitting on 33 points, nine points away from the drop zone. Newcastle also look somewhat safe, despite Tottenham’s 5-1 defeat at the weekend. Sitting just five points above the goal line, Leeds are in difficulty at the end of the season, with matches against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. With Norwich in need of a miracle, and Watford facing a real uphill struggle, it seems likely that last place could fall to Burnley or Everton.

Bernie beat Everton

Clarett took a dramatic step toward safety last night at Turf Moor, just one point behind Everton. A lot of people thought it was going to be an intimate match, but we dealt with open, flowing and attacking football. Nathan Collins opened the scoring and his EPL account with a clever flick after some stand-up comedy about Everton. At just 20 years old, Collins could be next in a long line of great Irish players in the Premier League – one of many reasons Bet on Irish leagues and UK football matches Both across Ireland. Two penalties propelled Everton to the top, but a Jay Rodriguez goal in the 57th minute and a late win by Maxwell Cornet landed them, with manager Frank Lampard under increasing pressure.

Burnley Marsh On

The Clarets will be happy to gain a little momentum for the final stages of the campaign, and their next match will be a must. They travel to Carrow Road to take on Norwich, which has suffered its most grueling Premier League season to date. The Canary Islands are still rooted at the bottom, with only 18 points to their name, a goal difference of -45, and they need a miracle if they are to avoid playing the football championship next season – they are the 80/1 favorites with the bookmakers for relegation. Burnley will recover, and they can also look forward to a relatively easy game – despite nothing being easy in the Premier League – until the end of the season, when they face struggling teammates Newcastle, Watford almost certainly doomed.

Watford

Roy Hodgson Doesn’t say wordsAnd the one-time England coach was direct and direct: “If we’re going to survive, we have to win matches.”

The matches they face in the race are certainly of crucial importance – they also face four teams in the relegation battle: Leeds, Brentford, Burnley and Everton. If they can win most or all of those matches they will be in a good position to survive, but that’s a big demand – and matches with Manchester City and Chelsea are on the horizon. Hodgson has revitalized the side, but will it be a little too late?

A word about Brentford

A breath of fresh air for many, the bees have had a fickle first season in the first place. After starting the season with an impressive home victory against a lackluster Arsenal, a last-minute goal over West Ham, and a 3-3 white-kick draw with Liverpool, they suffered a major lull, slipped towards the bottom, and they were. Crossed out by many critics. But then Thomas Frank provided the best signing – and certainly the best story – of the season, bringing in Christian Ericsson just months after his near-fatal collapse at Euro 2020. Since then, Brentford has renewed his energy and focus, and most fans agree that their continued presence in the EPL is a must. he’s welcome.

The relegation battle is always full of drama, tears of joy and tears of despair. Great watch for neutrals, but supporters will be biting their nails until the end of May.

Jonathan Lewis is a sports writer for MFF

Cheer up or down?  End of business for the 2021-22 EPL season