Comparing Tottenham’s upcoming five league fixtures with the run-in faced by four teams battling relegation.
Thomas Frank has so far refused to admit that Tottenham are locked in a relegation battle, yet their current trajectory suggests that is exactly where they are heading.
Spurs edged nearer to the bottom three on Tuesday evening after slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle. The result leaves them 16th in the table, especially after Leeds salvaged a vital point from 2-0 down at Chelsea.
Frank’s team are now without a win in eight Premier League outings. Matters could worsen with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest set to host Wolves this week, meaning Spurs may soon find themselves level on points with Sean Dyche’s struggling side.
West Ham, meanwhile, have enjoyed a resurgence, and their bid for survival gathered further momentum with last month’s 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Although Frank continues to back himself to turn things around and keep his position, he has yet to concede that his side are fully immersed in a fight for survival.
Tottenham will also be hoping Brighton are dragged deeper into trouble, as the Seagulls have endured a downturn under Fabian Hurzeler.
Looking at the run-in, Spurs face a challenging sequence. They welcome Arsenal in the North London Derby on February 22, then travel to Fulham, host Crystal Palace, head to Liverpool and finally take on Nottingham Forest.
Brighton travel to Aston Villa and Brentford, host Forest in a crucial clash, then Arsenal, before a trip to Sunderland.
Leeds visit Aston Villa before home fixtures against Manchester City and Sunderland, followed by trips to Crystal Palace and a later meeting with Brentford.
Forest entertain Wolves and Liverpool, travel to Brighton and Manchester City, and then host Fulham.
West Ham take on Bournemouth at home before facing Liverpool and Fulham away, then host Manchester City and travel to Aston Villa.
Despite some encouraging signs, Burnley and Wolves still appear destined for relegation to the Championship.
