The race to avoid the last Premier League relegation place is shaping up to be a two-horse contest between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United following a dramatic weekend of results. Nottingham Forest’s impressive away win at Chelsea has effectively secured their top-flight status under Vitor Pereira, meaning Spurs and West Ham are now fighting to avoid dropping into the Championship alongside Burnley and Wolves.
The two London sides are separated by just one point, with Tottenham sitting just above the drop zone in 17th. However, the tide seems to be turning in Spurs’ favour — Roberto De Zerbi’s team earned a vital and morale-boosting win against Aston Villa, while the Hammers were soundly beaten 3-0 by Brentford. Those contrasting fortunes have shifted the mood significantly around both clubs as the season enters its final stages.
Alan Shearer, the former England skipper and Premier League icon, has come out in favour of Tottenham surviving the drop. He was scathing in his assessment of West Ham’s defensive display against Brentford, noting how exposed they looked and how many chances they conceded. With Arsenal visiting the London Stadium this weekend amid a title push, Shearer anticipates the Gunners will take all three points — a result that would leave West Ham in serious danger.
Such an outcome would set up a significant opportunity for Tottenham, who face Leeds United on Monday night. Leeds still have fixtures against both clubs, giving them an outsized influence on how the relegation picture unfolds. Shearer praised the transformation De Zerbi has brought to Spurs, noting a marked improvement in the squad’s intensity and commitment. He backed Tottenham to beat Leeds at home, suggesting that the renewed belief De Zerbi has instilled could just be enough to keep them in the Premier League.
