The race for relegation.

[pauliewalnuts]

There are currently 12 points between 8th and 20th, which is truly remarkable. After tonight's results, looking at the table, and at recent events, clubs like Newcastle, Blackburn, Stoke are getting dragged right into it. I don't even think Wigan or Wolves, the bottom two, are anything like relegated yet.

Here are the current odds for relegation from bet365.

Wigan 4/11
Wolves 4/9
West Ham 5/6
Albion 11/5
Blackpool 9/4
Blues 11/4
Fulham 7/1
Newcastle 8/1
Villa 20/1
Blackburn 25/1
Everton 25/1
Stoke 25/1
Bolton 50/1

It looks as if some clubs are actively trying to get relegated. Who do you fancy from that list as a decent outside bet to go down?

With Carroll gone, Ameobi now out, and Leon Best and Lovenkrands relied upon to get the goals, Newcastle look like a pretty decent return for me. Paddy Power have them at 16s, which looks very tempting.

[bertlambshank]

Blackburn 25/1 looks a very good bet.

[eamonn]

Why are Everton longer than us?

[TheSandman]

The Tangerine Dream will become the Tangerine Nightmare.

Shame as in spite of Echo I want them to stay up.

That said Everton or Newcastle might be surprise winners.

[VillaAlways]

Why are Everton longer than us?

that's what I was wondering

[TopDeck113]

Blackpool are, if not falling like a stone, certainly no longer picking up the points.  Their home record is also shocking.  Been found out?  Fatigue?  Who cares!


(So that's guaranteed them a home win next time out...)

[pauliewalnuts]

Why are Everton longer than us?

that's what I was wondering

One point behind us, but a game in hand. Similarly performing teams. Makes sense.

Also, remember, these odds don't really reflect the current table necessarily, they reflect the bookies minimising their risk on the market. A couple of weeks ago there would have been more money on us and hardly anything on Everton.

[TaxDodger]

It'll be Wolves, Wigan and Blackpool for me. Blues and Albion will have to be very careful though. I think West Ham will have enough to stay up comfortably now they have Keane. He'll bang in 6 or 7 very important goals before the season is finished.

[damon loves JT]

David Pleat pointed out that Blackpool have a large number of home games, as their donkey-infested eyesore of a ground was still a diddakoi camp until the end of September

[pauliewalnuts]

David Pleat pointed out that Blackpool have a large number of home games, as their donkey-infested eyesore of a ground was still a diddakoi camp until the end of September

Although, only 11 points from 30 at home so far.

[Chris Smith]

Every time I think I have an idea it all changes again and I don't think any of the bottom 3 places are nailed on at the moment. Usually by now teams are starting to get detached but with only 10 points covering 12 clubs it's still very open.

I'l make a guess at Wolves, Wigan and Blackpool but could be wrong on all 3.

[damon loves JT]

Any team that shines a Marlon Harewood-shaped searchlight into the sky to summon a superhero is in deep shit. I am looking forward to a series of increasingly paranoid and defensive post-match interviews from Holloway

[damon loves JT]

It seems to me that when you are struggling, home games are harder because you are under more pressure.

[pauliewalnuts]

I wanted Blackpool to stay up prior to Holloway's gobbing off about a "half arsed club who used to be famous"

Petty it may be, but fuck it, petty bitterness is what football is all about, so i hope they go down.

[ozzjim]

Wolves, Blackpool and West Brom for me, with Newcastle on the line at the end. Wigan are starting to fight, and have match winners. Blackpool are in free fall. Newcastle have had their heart ripped out twice by Ashley this season and will struggle. Blues, Everton, Villa all got too much. In fact I would bet Blues will be about 12th and us 10th-8th by May.