So, more analysis of the ‘Will Villa survive?’ variety. Using a simple equation of the average current placings of team’s remaining opponents in the remaining fixtures, you can see below how difficult Villa’s run-in weighs up against the remaining relegation candidates.
On the whole, it’s good news. Villa have the sixth easiest run-in of all Premiership teams. On average they play an 11th place team. Of Villa’s main competition for the drop, Reading have the fourth hardest fixture list, so goodbye to them. The pundit’s favourite to beat the drop, Southampton have the seventh most difficult run-in, so they’ll do well to stay clear of trouble.
QPR actually have the easiest run-in of all the relegation threaten teams, so the upcoming clash at Villa Park against QPR has added significance. If Villa do overcome their rivals, then as most people suspect, it should be Reading, QPR and then either Villa or Wigan for the final spot. Wigan’s run-in isn’t that more difficult than Villa’s, so it promises to go down to the wire. If both teams step up, then the likes of MON’s Sunderland, may get sucked in due to their slightly tougher remaining fixtures and poor recent form.
Still, as the MOMS team have already predicted, Villa are destined to survive. So relax, kick-back and enjoy the ride. UTV
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Thanks to Sportingintelligence.com for the above table
