Relief for Spurs or progress for West Ham, who loses relegation fight?

April 21, 2026 Oliver Obel

Time is becoming Tottenham’s biggest opponent.

Another weekend passed without a win, and while results elsewhere prevented further damage, the overall picture remains bleak. A late concession against Brighton summed up a season where small margins continue to go against them. West Ham’s draw at Crystal Palace ensured the gap to safety did not widen—but for Spurs, standing still is quickly becoming as dangerous as slipping further behind.

They remain two points adrift of safety, still chasing a turnaround that has so far shown little sign of materializing. Relegation from the top flight, something the club has avoided since 1977, is no longer a distant threat—it is a very real possibility.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, reflected on the broader uncertainty across the league: “It will go all the way, for sure. Not only at the bottom of the table but at the top.” He added: “This season has been very tight. We don't make points, we play games. We have a mission ahead and keep going.”

Momentum telling its own story

If the table alone leaves room for hope, recent form does not.

Tottenham’s winless run has stretched to 15 league matches, a sequence that has drained confidence and exposed recurring issues—particularly their inability to protect leads and turn competitive performances into results. Manager Roberto de Zerbi has argued his team are still “able to win five games in a row,” but that belief increasingly clashes with what is unfolding on the pitch.

Elsewhere, the trajectory is different. Leeds United have given themselves breathing room with consecutive victories, while Nottingham Forest have quietly built resilience, going five matches unbeaten. West Ham, meanwhile, have accumulated points steadily enough to keep themselves just outside immediate danger.

That contrast—one team stuck, others inching forward—may ultimately define who survives.

The run-in: opportunity or illusion?

There is still a path for Tottenham, at least on paper. A trip to already-relegated Wolves offers a clear chance to end their winless streak, and a home fixture against Leeds could carry enormous significance depending on how the table looks by then.

But even winnable games come with pressure when confidence is fragile. Matches that might once have been viewed as routine now feel decisive.

Other fixtures are less forgiving. An away game at Aston Villa could be influenced by their European commitments, yet it remains a difficult assignment. Closing the season against Chelsea and Everton adds another layer of uncertainty, particularly if those sides are still competing for European qualification.

Rivals face their own challenges. West Ham’s schedule includes Arsenal and Newcastle, while Nottingham Forest must navigate demanding trips to Chelsea and Manchester United. No side in the relegation fight has a comfortable finish—but Tottenham’s lack of momentum leaves them with the thinnest margin for error.

Doubts growing outside the club

Confidence is not just fragile on the pitch—it is fading off it as well.

Sky Sports pundit Dean Ashton was blunt in his assessment: “I think Tottenham are going down, I don't see the character or mindset in them to get out of it.” Jamie Carragher has voiced similar concerns, suggesting Spurs may fall short as their rivals do enough to survive.

Those views reflect a broader shift in perception. Not long ago, Tottenham’s quality on paper suggested they would pull clear. Now, the question is whether they can respond at all.

With only a handful of matches left, the equation is no longer complex. Tottenham do not just need improvement—they need it immediately. Otherwise, a slow drift through the second half of the season could end in a drop that once seemed unthinkable.

Sources: BBC Sport, Sky Sports