Now we are pretty much safe from relegation barring something terrible happening with 8 straight defeats (touch wood), I think it’s time to have a look at what teams we could potentially be playing next season or not playing.
The two certain teams I believe we won’t be playing are Queens Park Rangers and Reading. Unfortunately for them, I think there is far too much work to do which will no doubt bring smiles to West Ham fans faces after our clashes with Reading in recent years and Harry managing QPR. The one team I think we will definitely be playing is Cardiff, and after last years away days there I cannot wait! The play-off away day will probably be in my top 5 for tens of years to come.
The Premier League relegation battle is as tight as it has been for years with 7 teams separated by 4 points. Those teams are; Southampton, Stoke, Norwich, Newcastle, Sunderland, Wigan and Aston Villa. Wigan seem to have hit form at the right time, as they always do and it will be interesting to see how Paolo fairs at Sunderland with a tough run in. It could well be any of the 7 that go down, though it could be worth noting Stoke have picked up less points in 2013 than any other Premier League side.
In the Championship the second automatic promotion spot is occupied by Hull with a 4 point gap over Gianfranco Zola’s Watford. The rest of the play off places are taken up by Crystal Palace who have stalled recently, Nottingham Forest who are unbeaten under new manager Billy Davies and Guy Poyet’s Brighton. I think the play off places could well be the same come the end of the season but as we know there are always a team who sneak in at the last minute, take note Leicester, Derby, Bolton and Middlesbrough!
Who knows who we will be playing next season? Whether its another trip to Wales, one less trip to the North East or a trip to the coast to Brighton, we are looking up towards another season of Premier League football which is undoubtedly our one aim for the season! Onwards and upwards, come on you Irons!
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