"The Premier League's relegation battle was in danger of looking like a foregone conclusion only a couple of weeks ago. Earlier this season, West Ham, Wolves and Burnley looked destined to be heading to the Championship at the end of the season. But only a couple of weeks after all hope was quickly being lost for the Premier League's worst-performing clubs, the battle for survival has taken several unexpected turns in the early weeks of 2026."
"After rolling into the New Year with one win in 10 games, West Ham are a club buoyed since a morale-boosting win against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third round on 11 January. Since then, back-to-back wins for the Hammers against Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland have bridged the gap between themselves and 17th-place Nottingham Forest to only six points - despite a late loss at Chelsea last time out."
"Nineteenth-place Burnley have added to their tally with respectable draws against Liverpool and Tottenham and could close the gap to safety to eight points with a win against Sunderland on Monday. While Wolves still look nailed-on for a season in the Championship next term, Rob Edwards' side have at least stopped the rot in recent weeks and are no longer on course to record the lowest points total in Premier League history."
Three Premier League clubs near the bottom—West Ham, Burnley and Wolves—have shown form improvements that have altered the relegation picture in early 2026. West Ham won in the FA Cup on 11 January and followed with victories over Tottenham and Sunderland, reducing the gap to 17th-place Nottingham Forest to six points despite a recent loss at Chelsea. Burnley secured draws with Liverpool and Tottenham and could move within eight points of safety with a win against Sunderland. Wolves have halted a run of losses and avoided projecting the lowest-ever Premier League points total, though relegation still appears likely. Overturning current deficits remains historically rare.
Read at www.bbc.com
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