At this late stage of the premiership season, usually at least one team has been condemned to Relegation to the Championship. This year, however, while there are a few teams who look as if they are doomed, nothing has been decided, and mathematically speaking EVERYTHING could change in the next month.
We'll take a look at the run in for the bottom teams and see if things get any clearer.
Sunderland
Currently sitting at the foot of the table and 12 points from safety things look bleak for David Moyes' Black Cats. What may be their only hope of salvation is that their forthcoming three games are all eminently winnable.
This weekend sees them host Eddie Howe 's Bournemouth and then they have two six-pointers against teams also in the bottom four in Hull City and Swansea. Picking up valuable points from those games could make all the difference. The problem for Sunderland lies with their final two games. Even if they manage 9 points and are thrown a lifeline they face Arsenal and champions-elect, Chelsea , away from home in their final two games. It is not looking good for the North-Easterners and they must be odds-on to return to the Championship.
Middlesbrough
After a valuable three points against fellow relegation strugglers Sunderland last night, Middlesbrough are only six points from safety. The bad news is that they face Manchester City and Chelsea in their next two games and two defeats would effectively end their season.
Their final two games include Southampton at home and finally Liverpool at Anfield where the Reds could be chasing a top four slot to make life even harder. Once again, with only 5 wins this season it looks like curtains for another North-east side.
Swansea
Sitting two points inside the relegation zone Swansea enjoyed a brief resurgence a few weeks ago beating Leicester, Burnley and Stoke City but have returned to losing ways.
Their final games see them against an in-form Man United and Everton before a crucial six-pointer against Sunderland mid-May. Their final game is against the season's surprise package, Tony Pulis' West Brom. If Swansea can claim a few points from their early games and a win against Sunderland, they may just save their season.
Hull City
The final team in real danger of the drop. Hull are two points clear of Swansea on 33 points and travel to Southampton before a massive game against Sunderland in May. They then face an in-form Crystal Palace who have been re-energised under Sam Allardyce before their final home game against a superb Tottenham team. Hull will need to hope that the points are secured before the final game.
With all that in mind who are favourites for the drop? Odds-on must be Sunderland and Middlesbrough and given who they are facing, the final slot will be taken by Swansea. But then this is football, and anything can happen.