Whilst football fans throughout the country have been hooked on the miraculous achievements by underdogs Leicester City, who are currently sitting at the top of the table, an equally gripping story is emerging at the bottom end of the table, where Newcastle United, Norwich City and Sunderland are all fighting for Premier League survival.
With the Premier League 2015/2016 season nearly over, plus only one survival spot up for grabs, which two out of these three teams will be joining Aston Villa in the Championship next season?
17th: Newcastle United - 33 points
Newcastle moved out of the bottom three for the first time since 1 February after an Andros Townsend free kick saw the Magpies emerge as 1-0 winners over Crystal Palace.
The Toon Army have witnessed an upturn in fortunes since the appointment of former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez, picking up eight points in their last four matches. Despite being safe at the moment, both Sunderland and Norwich City remain one and two points behind respectively, with both sides also having one game in hand to play.
Upcoming fixtures:
Aston Villa (A)
Tottenham (H)
What the manager has said:
It could be important for us [the win over Crystal Palace]. Im sure its important for the fans when you see now the table, but we still have to keep going. We know we have to approach the game against Aston Villa like another final, said manager Rafael Benitz after his side won 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
We won against Swansea and in two difficult games against City and Liverpool we did well. Now with these three points [against Palace] the players have more confidence, theyre working hard and working for each other. And that is the key, he added.
18th: Sunderland - 32 points
A stoppage time penalty from Jermain Defoe saw Sunderland pick up what could be a precious point in their 1-1 draw with Stoke. The Black Cats have battled relegation all season and know that they need wins to stay afloat. Unfortunately for the Wearsiders, they have only won once in their past nine matches.
Upcoming fixtures:
Chelsea (H)
Everton (H)
Watford (A)
What the manager has said:
Were still fighting, which is the most important thing. With three games to go were still fighting to stay in this league, noted manager Sam Allardyce after the Black Cats drew 1-1 away to Stoke.
Whats in our control is making sure we try and win next week and then make the game in hand really count against Everton on the Wednesday and thats our big task, he added.
19th: Norwich City - 31 points
A 1-0 defeat against Arsenal condemned Norwich City to a third straight league defeat, a poor patch of form that has seen the Canaries slip from Premier League safety to 19th in the table. Like Sunderland, Alex Niels men have a game in hand, but they will have to win soon to stand any chance of Premier League survival.
Upcoming fixtures:
Manchester United (H)
Watford (H)
Everton (A)
What the manager has said:
We need to pick up points and we need to win games between now and the end of the season. Its as simple as that, but we always knew that was the task, observed manager Alex Neil after his sides 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.
The difference is one game. Weve got a game in hand over Newcastle for a start and Sunderland are one point ahead. So all it takes is for Sunderland to draw or lose, and we win, and we go above them. So theres nothing in it, Neil added.
