Premier League run-in - Drop zone

By David Lee Wheatley

Relegation fight hots up

QPR and Reading are looking strong favourites for a return to the Championship after the most recent round of results over the Easter weekend, but the other relegation spot is still very much in the melting pot.

Only three points separate Newcastle United, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic (who have a game in hand on the others) and Aston Villa. All sides face tough fixtures during the run-in and it is almost impossible to predict which of them may be dragged down to the division below by May 19th.

Sunderland decided to part company with manager Martin O'Neill in a desperate bid to propel themselves out of harm's way, replacing the genial Irishman with the confident, charismatic and controversial Italian fire-brand Paolo Di Canio. The club's hierachy wil hope his passion and determination will inspire a Sunderland side without a win in the last eight matches.

Newcastle United attempted to buy their way out of trouble when signing a raft of players during the January transfer window. Initially, it appeared the plan had worked with a brief upturn in results, but the Magpies have stalled somewhat and have been left looking over their shoulders at Villa and Wigan just 3 points adrift of them; Alan Pardew will view the Tyne-Wear derby on April 14th as a potentially make-or-break match-up.

Aston Villa suffered a home defeat to Liverpool at the weekend after back-to-back victories had put them in a slightly healthier state. That setback will be further compounded by the fact that their goal difference is the worst in the Premier League currently, which could come into play on the final day of reckoning this season.

Wigan are renowned for their ability to escape relegation scraps at the last-minute and they will be confident of repeating the feat with a tasty-looking tie against Aston Villa on the last day of the campaign, not to mention the fact that the fantastic cup run Wigan have been on has left them with a league game in hand on all those around them. Their run to the FA Cup semi-finals (and possibly beyond) will give them momentum that will be hard to stop.

It's difficult to predict the teams that will make the eventual drop into Championship football, but at this moment in time it's looking like QPR, Reading and Aston Villa are set for demotion this time around.

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