Tottenham’s relegation battle takes unexpected turn as Chelsea reach FA Cup final
The Premier League will have to reschedule Spurs’ visit to Stamford Bridge, which could have an impact the battle to avoid the drop.
Tottenham Hotspur struck late against Wolves on Saturday to secure a much-needed victory in their bid to avoid a shock relegation from the Premier League. However, the result left them no better off than they were at the start of the weekend.
Nottingham Forest’s thumping win away to Sunderland and West Ham’s injury-time triumph over Everton means Spurs remain in the drop zone, two points adrift of the Hammers and five behind Forest. With only four games left to play, time is running out.
Fixture uncertainty adds new pressure
To add to the uncertainty about what the future holds, the Premier League will now be forced into rearranging one of Tottenham’s remaining fixtures, which may or may not prove significant in the battle to avoid the drop.
Starting last year, the FA Cup final will be played on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season up until 2030. That impacts Spurs because they had been due to play Chelsea on Matchday 37, scheduled for that same weekend (May 16-17).
The Blues, however, will now face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 16, requiring their game against Spurs to be moved. As yet, a date has not been set, although the options are clear: between Matchdays 35 and 36, between Matchdays 36 and 37, or between Matchdays 37 and 38.
Chelsea fixture could shape survival fight
Depending on whether the rearranged game is moved forward or pushed back, the change could work in Spurs’ favor or against them.
A victory over Chelsea before the originally scheduled weekend could put additional pressure on the teams directly above them. Alternatively, their relegation could be confirmed before they visit Stamford Bridge if the fixture is played after the FA Cup final.
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