Michael Owen has told The Final Word that he is confident he knows which teams will be relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season – predicting Leeds United and Leicester City to join Southampton in going down.
Leicester’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool, and their difficult remaining fixtures suggest that the Foxes will go down. They are a point behind Leeds and while it is still possible, it looks unlikely. Leeds are then in 18th, a slightly better run in.
Leicester go to Newcastle next Monday and they could be down by the time they play. Leeds travel to West Ham, after the Hammers are in action in the Netherlands on Thursday night in the Europa Conference League semi-final.
Everton are in 17th on 32, but have an easier run in – while Forest have the hardest run in, but are in 16th on 34. It might be that a point against Arsenal at home, or Palace away, earns them safety. Owen has made his prediction.
“Leicester and Leeds to go down. Leicester will need four points, and that will be a struggle. Leeds; I’m not sure they can do it. Everton have a good run in, Forest have got 34 points already; one more and they’re safe,” Owen said.
Michael Owen confident Leeds and Leicester will be go down
It is certainly looking as if Leicester are now down, with two games left, and Forest are closing in on safety. This weekend will obviously tell us more, but it does seem as if it is becoming a shootout between Everton and Leeds.
The race for the title is obviously incredibly exciting, the race for the top four has big connotations financially. But the race for 17th place is absolutely enormous – and it is quickly becoming a two-horse battle. Leeds need a win.
Especially, because Everton go to Wolves on Saturday and are more than capable of beating a Wolves side that seem as though they’re on the beach at the moment. A team Leeds beat at Molineux 4-2, under Javi Gracia.
