Premier League 2012: Game-by-Game Relegation Predictions

Yes, it’s that horrifying time of the year. For some clubs survival is on the horizon, for others the championship daunts them. This season’s Premier League has 10 games left, and it seems to be a five-way battle to avoid the dreaded drop. Each of the five clubs (Blackburn, Bolton, QPR, Wolves and Wigan) have been analyzed, and so have each of the remaining fixtures.

One thing’s for sure, it’s sure to throw up a few twists and turns before Sunday, May 13.

* These predictions were made on Saturday, March 18.

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn have been at the foot of the table for most of the season, but in recent weeks Steve Kean’s men have come to life and picked up valuable wins at the likes of Wolves and QPR. However, they must not get complacent as they could find themselves back there again before the end of the campaign.

Both of the Lancashire sides have been far more fortunate with their upcoming run of fixtures compared to their rivals who still have a lot to do. I fancy Blackburn to snatch wins at home to Sunderland, Norwich and relegation rivals Wigan. I’ve also gone for them to pick up a point against West Brom and even “big boys” Liverpool. However, they do have to play the likes of Tottenham, Man United and Chelsea, making their job not a formality.

Blackburn Predictions 

March

Blackburn 2-1 Sunderland

Bolton 2-0 Blackburn

April

Blackburn 1-3 Manchester United

West Brom 1-1 Blackburn

Blackburn 2-2 Liverpool

Swansea 1-0 Blackburn

Blackburn 2-0 Norwich

Tottenham 2-0 Blackburn

May

Blackburn 2-0 Wigan

Chelsea 3-0 Blackburn

Safe or Sorry?

I fancy Blackburn to survive reasonably comfortably. I have gone for them to pick up 11 points from their remaining games, which will put them at 36 for the season. One doesn’t like to use the term “luck” in football, but you have to feel that luck has been on Blackburn’s side a little when you look at their final games.

Safe: 17^th

Bolton Wanderers

Again, it must be a Lancashire thing, but Bolton have managed to save their best fixtures until last. I look at their remaining games, and cannot see them going down any longer.

With matches at home to Blackburn, Fulham, Swansea and West Brom, I’ve gone for four wins out of four in those. Again I’ve also gone for a point against the likes of Aston Villa and the rival Wolves. Much like Blackburn they’ve been fortunate, but remember anything’s possible. An injury or a suspension could swing the pendulum out of their possession.

Bolton Predictions

March

Aston Villa 1-1 Bolton

Bolton 2-0 Blackburn

Wolves 1-1 Bolton

April

Bolton 1-0 Fulham

Newcastle 2-0 Bolton

Bolton 0-2 Tottenham

Bolton 2-1 Swansea

Sunderland 3-2 Bolton

May

Bolton 2-1 WBA

Stoke 1-0 Bolton

Safe or Sorry?

Bolton will have enough to stay up in my mind. With a reasonably strong squad and a good manager to steer the ship, I feel they’ll be too strong for their rivals.

I believe they’ll finish above Lancashire rivals Blackburn. I think they’ll reach 37 points before the season is done. That should be enough to leave them at least 16^th.

Safe: 16^th  

QPR

Many fancied QPR to have a solid season, but after a sloppy Christmas period and veteran manager Neill Warnock heading for the exit, QPR are now in grave danger of plummeting back to the championship.

Even with the likes of Taiwo, Zamora and Cisse coming in, in January, they still haven’t been able to put a string of results together. Not to sound all doom and gloom, but QPR will need a miracle to survive this season.

With games against Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Man City, United and Sunderland, one cannot see them picking up points there with the run of form they’re in. They have two home games against Swansea and Stoke, as well as a trip to West Brom. You have to feel if they want to have any chance of staying up, they’ll need nine points from those, and even that may not be sufficient.

QPR Predictions

March

QPR 0-2 Liverpool

Sunderland 1-0 QPR  

QPR 0-3 Arsenal

April

Manchester United 3-0 QPR  

QPR 2-0 Swansea

WBA 1-1 QPR  

QPR 1-3 Tottenham

Chelsea 2-0 QPR

May

QPR 2-1 Stoke

Manchester City 4-0 QPR  

Safe or Sorry?

After looking at the run of games Mark Hughes’ men are going to have to battle through, along with their current form, I cannot see them surviving, barring a miracle.

Sorry: 19^th

Wolves

Wolves have had a very up-and-down season again with a change of manager and poor form. They also find themselves in the dreaded scrap.

You’d have to say the same story as for QPR, Wolves have got a painfully difficult string of matches, including all the top three. I can, however, see them picking up points at Norwich and Bolton. However, I cannot see them picking up any, yes zero points, in April.

They begin with a trip to Stoke, followed by Arsenal, City and a trip to the fortress of the Liberty Stadium. In May, however, with games against Everton and Wigan, they should put points on the board.

Wolves Predictions

March

Wolves 0-3 Manchester United

Norwich 1-1 Wolves

Wolves 1-1 Bolton

April

Stoke 2-1 Wolves

Wolves 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-0 Wolves

Wolves 0-4 Manchester City

Swansea 1-0 Wolves

May

Wolves 2-0 Everton

Wigan 1-1 Wolves

Safe or Sorry?

Sadly, I believe that their run of games in April will cost them their Premier League status. I believe that they’ll pick up only six points from their remaining games, and that can’t be enough.

Sorry: 20^th

Wigan Athletic

 
Wigan have it somewhat easier than some of their rivals, however, again they’ll still need to perform to survive. With games at home to West Brom, Stoke and Newcastle, I can see them picking up maximum points from those.

To add to that, I can see them snatching a point against Wolves on the last day of the season. I think they’ll take 10 points from their remaining games, more than most, but will it be enough?

Wigan Predictions

March

Wigan 2-0 WBA

Liverpool 3-0 Wigan

Wigan 1-0 Stoke

April

Chelsea 4-1 Wigan

Wigan 0-3 Manchester United

Arsenal 2-0 Wigan

Fulham 1-0 Wigan

Wigan 2-1 Newcastle

May

Blackburn 2-0 Wigan

Wigan 1-1 Wolves

Safe or Sorry?

I think that they’ll put up a good fight and make it difficult for their opponents. However, I think they’ll just fall short and plummet into the horrors of the championship.

Sorry: 18^th

Final Predictions

We all know anything can happen or change, but I believe that Lancashire will manage to steer clear, and the likes of Wolves, Wigan and QPR will fall into the dreaded drop.

Do you agree? Leave your verdict in the comment section below.