Premier League relegation battle reaches climax

It's crunch-time in the race to stay up in the Premier League 2023-24. With all three of the bottom sides in action tonight, it's no surprise that matchday 35 will have the reputation of making or breaking the fate of Everton, Nottingham Forest and Southampton.

As it stands, Cooper's Forest are in the strongest position, equal on points with 17th place Leeds and with a game in hand. They go up against the bottom of pack Southampton today in what is undoubtedly a six-pointer for both. It's a similarly dismal picture for both sides form-wise, but the Forest did manage to get an impressive win over high-flying Brighton at home just two games ago, so we'll see if they can carry on that form tonight.

The other key game in the relegation dog-fight involves the Seagulls, as they host Everton. A somewhat disappointment for Dyche's men to be involved in such a battle come this point of the season considering their top-flight pedigree, but it's the hand they've been dealt. The Toffees find themselves just one point off saftey, with a win tonight dragging them out of the drop-zone.

As for Saints, it's still mathematically impossible for them to be relegated tonight, as the side from the south coast would be rock bottom, six points off safety with three games left to play. It does, however, seem a steep ask, with crunch ties against Fulham, high-flying Brighton and Liverpool all to come for Southampton. It does appear that their stint in the Premier League since 2012 is set to come to an end this campaign.