Tottenham and West Ham face tight Premier League relegation battle

Tottenham remain two points from Premier League safety following a late draw with Brighton as they battle West Ham to avoid a disastrous relegation.

It has been a gruelling and unexpected 2025-26 campaign for the North London club.

Roberto de Zerbi’s side conceded a late equaliser against the Seagulls to leave their survival hopes hanging in the balance.

However, they received a vital lifeline when relegation rivals West Ham failed to capitalise during their trip to Crystal Palace.

The Hammers secured only a single point at Selhurst Park, keeping the gap between the two sides dangerously narrow.

Managerial confidence amidst poor form

De Zerbi remains publicly defiant about his squad’s ability to retain their top-flight status.

The Italian tactician insisted the team is entirely capable of winning their final five fixtures to guarantee survival.

Yet the statistical evidence tells a very different story for the struggling outfit.

The former European regulars have not tasted league victory in 15 consecutive matches and remain winless in 2026.

They face already-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers next, desperately needing three points to avoid matching their worst-ever winless run set in 1935.

Rivals pulling away from the danger zone

While the capital clubs stumble, their direct competitors are finding crucial late-season momentum.

Leeds United and Nottingham Forest both recorded significant home victories over the weekend to distance themselves from the bottom three.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds are now eight points clear, while Forest possess a valuable five-point cushion over the drop zone.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged the immense pressure facing all the teams involved.

“It will go all the way, for sure. Not only at the bottom of the table but at the top,” the manager told BBC Match of the Day.

“This season has been very tight. We don’t make points, we play games. We have a mission ahead and keep going.”

A crucial final run of fixtures

With Burnley widely expected to join Wolves in the Championship next season, only one relegation spot realistically remains.

The East Londoners have shown far superior recent form, collecting 19 points from their past 12 outings.

In stark contrast, De Zerbi’s faltering squad have managed a mere six points from 15 games since late December.

The upcoming trip to Molineux represents a monumental fixture if Tottenham are to avoid their first top-flight relegation since 1977.