Premier League giants face unthinkable drop as relegation fears mount
Tottenham Hotspur are now genuinely at risk of relegation from the Premier League after a 2-1 home defeat by Newcastle saw their survival odds slashed to just 5/1.
The north Londoners suffered a 15th loss of the Thomas Frank era on Tuesday night, leaving them precariously placed with just 12 games remaining.
It marks a historic low for the Dane, who now holds the worst win percentage of any manager in the club’s Premier League history.
While the prospect of the Champions League finalists dropping into the Championship seemed impossible in August, the trajectory is now undeniable.
A trajectory of despair
Betting markets rarely deal in sentiment, and the cold hard probability suggests a crisis is deepening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Since the turn of the year, the odds on the capital club facing the drop have shortened dramatically from a comfortable 100/1 to the current price.
This shift implies a 16 per cent probability of demotion.
Remarkably, the struggling outfit are now considered more likely to be relegated than both Leeds United and Sunderland.
Rivals rising under Nuno
Compounding the misery for the Lilywhites is the resurgence of their cross-city rivals.
West Ham, completely revamped under former Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo, are currently tearing through the league.
The Hammers have taken 10 points from their last six matches, the fourth-highest return in the division during that period.
A recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United showcased a united front at the London Stadium, a stark contrast to the mood across north London.
“There’s a team spirit here which they can cling on to. The players walk around the pitch applauding the fans, there’s genuine belief they can stay up.”
Chris Reidy, Sky Sports Reporter on West Ham
Confidence crisis
Frank has overseen just two victories in his last 16 league matches.
The underlying performance data and remaining fixtures point toward a genuine dogfight for survival.
“Spurs are in a relegation battle. There is no confidence in the side.”
Michael Bridge, Sky Sports Reporter
If the current form continues, the unthinkable prospect of second-tier football could become a reality for one of England’s biggest clubs.