Source: Daily_Mail
Who will be relegated from the Premier League?
ShareWest Ham's dismal demise means that two teams from Blackburn, Wolves, Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan will join them in the Championship next season, around ?40million lighter in the pocket. [LNB]Who will it be? Well, it's complicated. Really rather complicated. [LNB]Just a single point separates the five teams, and just a handful of goals divide 17th to 19th spots, meaning that the teams currently in the drop zone could lose on the final day and yet still stay up on goal-difference. [LNB]HOW IT STANDS: P F A GD PtsBlackburn 37 43 57 -14 40 Wolves 37 44 63 -19 40 Birmingham 37 36 56 -20 39 Blackpool 37 53 74 -21 39 Wigan 37 39 61 -22 39 [LNB]Frantic fans have been left working out the mind-boggling maths to see how their side can survive the final reckoning. So mind-boggling, in fact, are the equations that the word is Carol Vorderman hasn't been heard of since Monday morning when she was seen locking herself in a room with a calculator and a copy of Sportsmail.[LNB]But, fear not, Vorders: Sportsmail has the full lowdown on which teams need what to beat the drop on Survival Sunday...[LNB]15th place - Blackburn 40 points (goals scored: 43, goals against: 57, goal difference: - 14)[LNB]Survival Sunday fixture: Wolves (A) [LNB] Under pressure: Blackburn boss Steve Kean faces a tough trip to Molineux[LNB]What they need to stay up: Simple: win at Molineux. A draw at Wolves would see Blackburn safe unless Blackpool, Wigan and Birmingham all win. Rovers' superior goal difference all but guarantees they will stay up if they lose and all the teams below collect a point.[LNB]Key man: With Wolves needing a win more than Rovers, you would expect Paul Robinson to be a busy boy between the sticks. Blackburn have also leaked the most goals away from home in the league.[LNB] Head and shoulders above the rest: Paul Robinson (right)[LNB]Opponents: Their nearest rivals in terms of league position. Wolves are on the up after two straight wins. Rovers are on the slide. Squeaky bum time.[LNB]Big-game ability: A win in the Lancashire derby against Bolton on April 30 was promising, but can boss Steve Kean inspire the spirit so often seen under Big Sam?[LNB]16th - Wolves 40 points (goals scored: 44, goals against: 63, goal difference: - 19) [LNB]Survival Sunday fixture: Blackburn (H) [LNB] Good form: Mick McCarthy's side have won their last two games[LNB]What they need to stay up: Again, it's simple: beat Blackburn. But wins for two out of Blackpool, Wigan and Birmingham would send Mick McCarthy and co down if Wolves lose or draw at Molineux. Similar to Rovers, their slightly less awful goal difference means they will be ok if the sides below only manage to draw - unless they are thrashed by Blackburn.[LNB]Key man: Wolves' recent revival has been built on the goals of Steven Fletcher, so the Scotland striker will be the one to watch. Fletcher has five goals in his last five games.[LNB] Five in six: Steven Fletcher has been in amongst the goals[LNB]Opponents: Blackburn have been unable to resist the gravitational pull of the bottom three ever since the club's new owners - the chicken giant, Venky's - fried Sam Allardyce in December and handed the reins to Steve Kean. [LNB]Big-game ability: Wolves have found form when it matters most, putting three goals past West Brom and Sunderland in successive weeks. Home wins against Chelsea and Manchester United this term suggests they like the big occasion. [LNB]17th - Birmingham 39 points (goals for: 36, goals against: 56, goal difference: -20)[LNB]Survival Sunday fixture: Tottenham (A) [LNB] Feeling Blue: Alex McLeish (left)[LNB]What they need to stay up: A win at White Hart Lane would guarantee safety or so you might think. Because should Blackpool and Wigan notch thumping wins Blues could still finish below both on goal difference. By the same token, if all three sides lose, a heavier defeat for Birmingham than that suffered by the Tangerines or the Latics could also spell doom. A draw or defeat leaves Birmingham sweating on results from Old Trafford and the Britannia.[LNB]Key man: Craig Gardner. Someone's got to find the net for the league's most goal-shy side, so all eyes are on Blues' top scorer. He has a point to prove on his return from suspension, too.[LNB] Rallying call: Craig Gardner (right) believes a fans' message should be played to the team before their last game[LNB]Opponents: A trip to White Hart Lane is tricky at the best of times, but Spurs must win to guarantee a Europa League spot over Liverpool and so have plenty to play for.[LNB]Big-game ability: A lot more than Arsenal, judging by this season's Carling Cup final. It is bizarre that one of the season's major trophy-winners could go down, and such a vital game could be just the stage Alex McLeish's men thrive on.[LNB]18th - Blackpool 39 points (goals for: 53, goals against: 74, goal difference: -21) [LNB]Survival Sunday fixture: Manchester United (A) [LNB] Tangerine dream: Ian Holloway will be hoping for a miracle at Old Trafford[LNB]What they need to stay up: For starters, that most simple of tasks: bring three points back from Old Trafford. Then, hope that Wigan do not better that result, as goal difference could again be crucial. If that were to happen, a bigger win than Birmingham would be enough, as 'Pool would finish above either Blackburn or Wolves, or both. A draw would be fine if Birmingham and Wigan are beaten, or Wolves lose by two goals while just one of their nearest rivals win.[LNB]Key man: Keith Southern. No, not really it's Charlie Adam, who else? The ever-inspirational skipper fired yet another winner against Bolton on Saturday, and is probably playing his final game for the Seasiders.[LNB] Who else? Charlie Adam has been Blackpool's key man all season[LNB]Opponents: The newly-crowned champions. Doesn't get much tougher, eh? Well, yes and no. Because United have nothing to play for here and will surely rest key men ahead of the Champions League final against Barcelona just six days later.[LNB]Big-game ability: How about a play-off final win exactly a year ago to the day? In the Premier League, Ian Holloway's boys have won at Anfield. Thumpings at Arsenal and Chelsea bode less well.[LNB]19th - Wigan 39 points (goals for: 39, goals against: 61, goal difference: -22)[LNB]Survival Sunday fixture: Stoke (A) [LNB] Great escape: Roberto Martinez masterminded a second half turnaround against West Ham[LNB]What they need to stay up: Better Blackpool and Birmingham's results by two goals (the Seasiders have scored more goals, so an equal points total and goal difference would see the Latics finish below them). If Roberto Martinez cannot inspire that to happen, then Wolves and Blackburn are both still in reach with a win. And remember, even a defeat could save them if Birmingham and Blackpool lose heavily.[LNB]Key man: Charles N'Zogbia. With apologies to Hugo Rodallega, the Frenchman is the one player in the Wigan squad with the quality to change a game. Just ask West Ham and Arsenal.[LNB] French flair: Charles N'Zogbia is Wigan's star man[LNB]Opponents: Manchester City fans will be forgiven for passing off the Potters as pussycats, while Arsenal fans tell tales of Stoke's snarling tigers. Either way, Tony Pulis's men have their tails between their legs after that crushing FA Cup final blow. [LNB]Big-game ability: The rousing second-half comeback against West Ham is not the first time N'Zogbia has proved the inspiration - remember his last-minute stunner in the magnificent 3-2 win at home to Arsenal to guarantee survival last season? [LNB]PREDICTED FINAL TABLE: P GF GA GD PtsWolves 38 46 64 -18 43Wigan 38 40 61 -21 42Blackburn 38 44 59 -15 40Birmingham 38 37 58 -21 39Blackpool 38 55 77 -22 39[LNB]Predictions:Wolves 2 Blackburn 1[LNB]Manchester United 3 Blackpool 2[LNB]Stoke 0 Wigan 1[LNB]Tottenham 2 Birmingham 1[LNB][LNB] All the latest Premier League team news for Sunday's actionSqueaky bum time! Martinez admits nerves will play a role on final dayAll the latest Blackburn news, features and opinionAll the latest Wolves news, features and opinionAll the latest Birmingham news, features and opinionAll the latest Wigan news, features and opinionAll the latest Blackpool news, features and opinion[LNB][LNB] Explore more:People: Carol Vorderman, Ian Holloway, Sam Allardyce, Steven Fletcher, Paul Robinson, Tony Pulis, Craig Gardner, Alex McLeish, Charlie Adam, Roberto Martinez Places: Barcelona, Liverpool, Birmingham, Scotland
