Remaining fixtures, key clashes and predicted finishes as West Ham, Everton and Leeds battle to avoid the drop

The Premier League relegation battle looks set to be the most exciting in years, with six teams locked in a desperate survival bid.

Demotion to the Championship is not only a terrible thing for fans and players to experience, but it can lead to job losses and huge cuts to playing and non-playing staff.

But three teams have to go, and with ten points separating 15th to 20th, we are in for an incredible end to the season.

Most teams fighting for their lives have five games left, but due to various postponements, West Ham have one more, meaning there is set to be drama right to the very end.

Here, talkSPORT.com looks at the 2022/23 relegation battle in detail…

West Ham – 15th

West Ham should be too good to go down, but plenty of squads have said that before and ended up being relegated

David Moyes’ side have won nine games all season and have turned in a few poor displays that have worried Irons supporters.

The club has probably left it too late to sack David Moyes, but they should have enough to stay up after picking up four points from their last three.

The Hammers face Manchester City and Manchester United in their final matches while they are also through to the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

Predicted finish – 15th

Leeds – 16th

Leeds are embroiled in a relegation battle for the second consecutive campaign.

The west Yorkshire side survived on the final day of the season last year after a win over Brentford relegated Burnley.

But Jesse Marsch wasn’t able to build on that and was sacked earlier this year, and ex-Watford manager Javi Gracia is the new man at Elland Road.

The Spaniard won three of his first seven league games, but the Whites have conceded 14 goals in their last four matches and are hitting a bad patch at the wrong time.

Leeds still have to play Man City, Newcastle and end the year with the visit of Tottenham, so demotion to the Championship is a real possibility.

Predicted finish – 18th

Nottingham Forest – 17th

Forest have endured a strange season back in the Premier League that started with a crazy summer.

Steve Cooper’s men saw a huge influx of players, leading to some disjointed performances, particularly away from home.

The World Cup break helped settle everything down, and they have been impressive at the City Ground but have the league’s worst away form.

However, a crucial win over Brighton has provided them with a glimmer of hope heading into the final five games of the season.

Predicted finish – 17th

Leicester – 18th

From title winners to relegation candidates in seven years, it’s been a strange journey for Leicester and could end badly.

Brendan Rodgers has left and Dean Smith is in, and despite having a squad packed with quality players, including James Maddison, poor defending has seen them lose 20 times.

And with five games to go, the Foxes face some big fixtures against Everton and West Ham at home, while they also play Liverpool and Newcastle.

Those home matches against fellow relegation candidates will decide the Foxes’ fate, and four points from their last two has eased some of the tension around the King Power.

Predicted finish – 16th

Everton – 19th

Everton looked doomed under Frank Lampard, but they acted quickly and decisively to replace the Chelsea legend with Sean Dyche.

Dyche worked wonders on a limited budget at Burnley and has won three games as Toffees boss – as many as Lampard managed until he was dismissed in January.

However, they are now winless in six and are running out of time. Dyche has done this before and that experience should make a difference.

But the games against Leicester, Wolves and Bournemouth are crucial – failing to win those will cost the Toffees a place in the Premier League.

Predicted finish – 19th

Southampton – 20th

The Saints have been bottom of the Premier League since New Year’s Eve and are onto their third manager of the season in Ruben Selles.

Ralph Hasenhuttl and Nathan Jones failed to get much from this group of players, but they have been better under Selles and have beaten Chelsea and nicked a point against Tottenham.

However, they have dropped too many points at home, and with five games left, they are six points from safety, and it’s hard to see where their next win is coming from.

Predicted finish – 20th