The key factors that will decide Premier League’s seven-team relegation scrap

Seven teams will be fearing the drop from the Premier League. Those who survive will need moments of quality, to utilise their experience and potentially a little bit of luck to ensure they do not finish in the bottom three.

Newcastle have shown how quickly things can turn thanks to an unbeaten run of seven games, including four wins, which has lifted them to 14th. They have been aided by new signings, especially Kieran Trippier, who has scored twice to help secure six vital points. The full-back’s ability from dead-ball situations is priceless at the lower end of the table and Newcastle will miss him as he recovers from a foot injury. Most teams battling relegation struggle to create chances, so having someone who can settle a match with a free-kick or send in inch-perfect crosses from set pieces is a huge asset. But momentum is key in football and the fact Newcastle now have it should see them to safety.

At the opposite end of the form spectrum are Brentford, who have not won in eight matches. In that period they have scored only four times and I fear they will struggle to find the goals required to keep their heads above water. They have crucial games coming up against Norwich on Saturday and Burnley a week later, and if they fail to win either they will be in a very difficult position. They started the season impressively, winning three of their opening seven fixtures, but have won as many in their next 20 matches. Looking at their game against Burnley, I would back Sean Dyche’s side to win because they have the greater experience in relegation battles and know how to get out of it.

Experience in these situations can be the difference, although the reason Burnley are used to survival fights is they have failed to