How do the five Premier League clubs in danger or relegation shape up?

17 May 2011 00:20
ShareThe Barclays Premier league comes to a dramatic climax on Sunday with any two clubs from five still haunted by the spectre of relegation. But who is going to go down?[LNB]Sportsmail takes a look at how the clubs hanging dangerously around the drop zone shape up for survival...[LNB] Hammered: Which two teams will be joining West Ham in the Championship next season?[LNB] [LNB]BLACKBURN ROVERSSteve Kean's side hold a one-point advantageover three of the relegation-threatened clubs, and have by far the best goal difference of all five, but it would not be the first time a team has gone down having not been in the relegation zone all season. [LNB]They may not be as battle-ready physically or mentally as the other strugglers, and there's also a question mark over unity at a club run from India.[LNB]KILLER STATS: IF all PL games had ended at half-time, they would be sixth (56pts). Have lowest respective top scorer Nikola Kalinic on five goals.[LNB]SAFETY RATING: 4/5 [LNB]WOLVESHeartening to see the strength of unity among the decision-makers at Molineux. [LNB]Owner Steve Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey stayed loyal to manager Mick McCarthy, who has never wavered in his belief Wolves would stay up. [LNB]No boss squeezes more from his Premier League squad. [LNB]In return, his group never buckled. Steven Fletcher has scored key goals since Kevin Doyle suffered an injury.[LNB]KILLER STATS: Lost only one of past six home games, with three wins, but worst points haul against their four drop-zone rivals, just seven.[LNB]SAFETY RATING: 4/5 [LNB] Biting back: Wolves face fellow relegation strugglers Blackburn on the last day[LNB] [LNB]BIRMINGHAM CITYOnly two Premier League wins since the Carling Cup final success, which must seem a lifetime ago for manager Alex McLeish. [LNB]His two goalscorers on that history-making day - Nikola Zigic and Obafemi Martins - have hardly been seen since and a chronic goal shortage has hit hard. Birmingham have been competitive - 15 draws show that - but the lack of a quality forward has cost them.[LNB]KILLER STATS: Ben Foster has made 164 saves in PL this term, 15 more than any other keeper, but Blues have scored fewest goals of all, just 36.[LNB]SAFETY RATING: 1/5 [LNB]BLACKPOOL Ian Holloway's side drew encouragement from a 4-3 win over Bolton and an outstanding display in the 3-2 defeat at home by United in January, but they probably need a point at Old Trafford to have any chance. [LNB]The Seasiders are unlikely to keep a clean sheet, as they showed in losing 6-0 at Arsenal and 4-0 at Chelsea. But they are always capable of scoring and have Charlie Adam back to his swashbuckling best. [LNB]KILLER STATS: Best shot conversion rate of all five teams fighting drop (14.06%), but conceded 52 goals from open play and 74 overall, both PL highs.[LNB]SAFETY RATING: 2/5[LNB] Life's a beach: Blackpool's win over Bolton has kept their hopes alive[LNB]Enlarge WIGAN ATHLETIC The big hope for Roberto Martinez and hisplayers is that last-day opponents Stoke are deflated by their FA Cup final defeat. [LNB]Wigan, on the other hand, are on a huge high after Charles N'Zogbia's injury-time winner helped relegate West Ham. N'Zogbia will be a key weapon again at the Britannia Stadium. [LNB]They are accustomed to pressure of the run-in but their inferior goal difference may hurt them.[LNB]KILLER STATS: Most accurate shooters of the five - 45% of shots hitting target, but only West Ham (10.62%) have converted fewer than Wigan (10.68%).[LNB]SAFETY RATING: 3/5[LNB] Party time: Wigan's late winner against West Ham has given them hope of survival[LNB] West Ham committed to 2012 stadium despite dropping out of top flightWigan save fan who suffered heart attack during climax with West HamBlackburn chief Kean charged with drink-driving hours after United draw Fearless Ollie inspired by Blackpool's Old Trafford survival mission[LNB]  Explore more:People: Kevin Doyle, Steve Morgan, Ian Holloway, Alex McLeish, Mick McCarthy, Obafemi Martins, Steven Fletcher, Ben Foster, Charlie Adam, Roberto Martinez Places: Birmingham, India

Source: Daily_Mail