Including the pre-Premier League era, “Big Six” clubs have been relegated a combined 29 times throughout their history. Out of that elite group, Manchester City hold the dubious honor of being relegated the most across both the modern and historic eras of English football.

Tottenham themselves have faced the drop on four separate occasions, narrowly avoiding a fifth by grinding out a much-needed victory over Everton on Matchday 38. The north London club hasn’t been relegated to the Championship since the 1976-77 campaign.

With their top-flight survival finally guaranteed, Spurs must immediately turn their attention to the systemic issues that plagued their disastrous 2025-26 Premier League campaign. The front office faces an offseason of massive adjustments, especially since the club will completely miss out on lucrative European tournaments next season.

Full list of relegations among the ‘Big Six’

While modern fans know them as giants, every single member of the “Big Six” has spent time in the second division at some point in their history. Here is the complete breakdown of historic relegations for English football’s elite:

• Manchester City: 10 times (Including two in the Premier League era: 1995-96 and 2000-01)
• Chelsea: 6 times (Last relegated during the 1987-88 season)
• Manchester United: 5 times (Last relegated during the 1973-74 season)
• Tottenham Hotspur: 4 times (Last relegated during the 1976-77 season)
• Liverpool: 3 times (Last relegated during the 1953-54 season)
• Arsenal: 1 time (Their lone relegation occurred over a century ago in the 1912-13 season, back when they were known as Woolwich Arsenal)

Now that the immediate threat of relegation is gone, Tottenham’s leadership must diagnose how a club that was recently a Champions League finalist fell so far. A barrage of season-ending injuries to vital players, the lack of a permanent, top-tier head coach, and a series of questionable front-office decisions are all critical issues Spurs must address to fix their trajectory.

After failing to pull off the miracle West Ham have been relegated to the EFL Championship. The Hammers had been on the Premier League since the 2011-12 campaign. For the first time in over a decade, the club—that ironically is—in East London will compete in the second tier of English soccer.

In true ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ fashion, one club in London hit its nadir, while another not too far away was covered in confetti and champagne. The Gunners capped off a sensational season with a win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and hoisted the Premier League trophy in South London. With the title race already over ahead of kickoff, an interesting storyline emerged in the spots on the table competing for European competitions.

The push for European cups

Aston Villa—recently crowned UEFA Europa League champions—defeated Man. City and thus finished in fourth place. However, they had already punched their ticket to next season’s UEFA Champions League thanks to their continental conquest.

Had the Villains lost to the Citizens and Liverpool defeated Brentford, Villa would have dropped to fifth, meaning No. 6 in the standings would have secured a Champions League berth as well. That did not happen, so Bournemouth will play in the UEFA Europa League in 2026-27.

In summary, Arsenal, Man. City, Man. United, Aston Villa, and Liverpool will all play in the UEFA Champions League next season. Meanwhile, Bournemouth and Sunderland are headed to the Europa League, and Brighton will compete in the UEFA Conference League.

Relegation battle

Tottenham defeated Everton in a drab affair that ended in a 1-0 victory for the hosts in North London. As a result, West Ham were left with no hope of survival. Even their 3-0 home win over Leeds wasn’t enough.

In the end, the relegation showdown between the cross-London foes has been decided. The Hotspurs can finally breathe a sigh of relief as they’ve avoided a heartbreaking drop to the second tier.

The gavel has come down, and the Hammers are headed down to the Championship. That means a reunion with rivals Millwall awaits in one of the fiercest and most vitriol-filled rivalries in English football.

Goalscorers and assists table

To nobody’s surprise, Erling Haaland finished as the Premier League’s leading scorer in 2025-26. The Manchester City striker found the back of the net 27 times, five more than the next closest player, Igor Thiago. The Brazilian finished with 22 goals, while Antoine Semenyo rounded out the podium with 17.

As for assists, Bruno Fernandes broke the Premier League single-season record with 21, surpassing the previous mark of 20 jointly held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.

A midweek defeat to Chelsea severely complicated matters for Spurs, thrusting them into an intense final-day battle with West Ham United. The two London rivals are now the only clubs left fighting to avoid the third and final relegation spot.

Tottenham control their own destiny against an Everton squad that still harbor faint hopes of climbing into a UEFA Conference League playoff spot. That final European place is currently held by Chelsea, who travel to face Sunderland on Sunday.

While pushing for a result on their own pitch, Tottenham must keep a close eye on West Ham’s home fixture against Leeds United. Fortunately for both clubs fighting the drop, playing in front of their respective home crowds should provide a distinct final-day advantage.

What happens if Tottenham beat Everton?

A Tottenham victory over Everton automatically dooms West Ham to relegation and sends the Hammers to the Championship next season. No matter how ugly the performance or narrow the margin, securing all three points guarantees Spurs safety and another year in the Premier League.

Even if West Ham take care of business and win at home, the current two-point cushion separating the clubs means a Tottenham victory completely freezes the Hammers out of survival.

What happens if Tottenham draw against Everton?

If Tottenham salvage a draw against Everton, they will virtually secure safety thanks to a massive advantage in the tiebreaker. Holding a vastly superior goal difference of minus-10 compared to West Ham’s minus-22, a single point should be more than enough to keep Spurs up.

For West Ham to overcome a draw by Spurs, the Hammers would need to overturn a 12-goal deficit by scoring at least 13 goals against Leeds, a nearly impossible mathematical miracle required to drop Tottenham into the relegation zone.

What happens if Tottenham lose to Everton?

If Tottenham suffer a final-day defeat to Everton, they will be forced to rely on a West Ham collapse. In this worst-case scenario, Spurs would need Leeds to either win or hold West Ham to a draw to secure Premier League safety.

It is all or nothing for both London clubs in a finale destined for drama. While Tottenham hold the upper hand due to their two-point lead in the standings, failure to secure a result leaves the door wide open for West Ham to pull off a stunning escape. If Tottenham lose and West Ham win, Tottenham will be relegated to the EFL Championship.

Bottom of the Premier League standings ahead of Matchday 38

To better understand what is at stake on the final day of the Premier League season, here is how the battle at the bottom of the table looks heading into Matchday 38:

How to watch Tottenham vs Everton in the USA

Soccer fans across the United States will have several ways to follow this can’t-miss matchup live. Streaming options include DirecTV Stream, Sling TV Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and Peacock Premium.

On the other hand, traditional TV coverage will air on NBC and Telemundo. With plenty on the line and excitement building around this clash, fans will not want to miss any of the action.

Can I watch Tottenham vs Everton for free?

Viewers in the United States can stream the full matchup live on DirecTV Stream, which is currently offering a five-day free trial for new subscribers.

The limited-time offer gives fans a chance to watch the action live without an immediate subscription commitment, making it an easy and flexible option for anyone looking to tune in before signing up for the service.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

One of the Premier League’s most intriguing matchups this weekend features two clubs entering with completely different levels of urgency. Everton are simply aiming to close the season on a positive note and climb as high as possible in the standings, but for Tottenham, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Spurs sit on 38 points, just ahead of West Ham by two, and their superior goal difference (-10 to -22) currently gives them a crucial edge in the relegation battle at the bottom of the Premier League standings.

A tie against Everton could be enough for Tottenham today, though Spurs know there’s no room for complacency. If they slip to a loss and West Ham defeat Leeds United, the North London side would be relegated.

Tottenham vs Everton: Predicted Lineups

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison.

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.

What time is the Tottenham vs Everton match?

The match kicks off today, May 24, at 11:00 AM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 11:00 AM
Central Time: 10:00 AM
Mountain Time: 9:00 AM
Pacific Time: 8:00 AM

Tottenham needed only one point to be virtually safe from relegation and leave West Ham United with one foot in the Championship, the second tier of English soccer. However, a screamer from Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos’ goal ensured the London derby stayed in Chelsea‘s hands.

A quick look at the updated Premier League standings, as Arsenal were crowned champions thanks to Manchester City’s draw against Bournemouth, clearly shows which North London club is the happiest.

What do Tottenham need to avoid relegation?

The easiest way for Tottenham to secure safety from relegation is by defeating Everton in the final game of the season. Playing at home against a team virtually eliminated from contention, Spurs have no margin for error.

Even if they cannot come away with all three points, a draw should be enough for them to stay in the Premier League. Tottenham would move three points ahead of West Ham with a goal differential of -10. That would mean the Hammers (-22 GD) would need to defeat Leeds at London Stadium by a 12-goal margin.

Considering the largest win in Premier League history is 9-0 and Leeds are ahead of West Ham in the standings, it’s safe to rule out such a possibility. Therefore, Tottenham should almost certainly be safe with one point in Matchweek 38. Furthermore, Spurs could even lose and still avoid relegation if the Hammers fail to defeat the Peacocks.

North London implications

In addition to their league title, Arsenal could complete a dream season by watching Tottenham Hotspur get relegated. The cherry on top would be conquering the UEFA Champions League and becoming the latest English club to achieve the double. Needless to say, it would be a real-life nightmare for Spurs.

For Chelsea, however, they can at least see that somebody else has it worse. With their win over Tottenham, the Blues put themselves in a strong position to qualify for European competition in 2026-27. As it stands, Chelsea are sitting in 8th place, currently qualifying for the UEFA Conference League, which they won in 2025. However, they could climb into a Europa League spot with a win over Sunderland and some help from Manchester United against Brighton.

If the Red Devils win or draw against the Seagulls—and the Blues win as well—they would most likely move up to 7th place. Chelsea’s win over Tottenham means both teams have something to play for in the final game of the 2025-26 Premier League season. For the Spurs, however, they are ultimately playing for their lives.

The Blues remain in the hunt for a European place, while Roberto De Zerbi‘s side is fighting to avoid slipping into the relegation zone after one of the club’s toughest league campaigns in years.

A positive result against Chelsea could secure Tottenham’s Premier League status before the final weekend, while a defeat would leave the club facing enormous tension.

What happens if Tottenham beat Chelsea today?

Tottenham would officially secure Premier League survival if they beat Chelsea today. Spurs enter Matchday 37 in 17th place with 38 points, two ahead of West Ham in the final relegation spot. A victory would move them to 41 points.

A Tottenham win would also officially relegate West Ham United to the EFL Championship. For Chelsea, a loss would seriously damage their hopes of qualifying for Europe. The Blues enter the round in 10th place with 49 points and still chasing a possible UEFA Conference League or Europa League spot.

The pressure surrounding this derby is also amplified by the rivalry itself. Chelsea have lost only once at home against Tottenham in all competitions since 1990 and were trying to continue a dominant Stamford Bridge record against Spurs.

What happens if Tottenham and Chelsea tie today?

Tottenham would move extremely close to Premier League survival if they draw with Chelsea today. A draw would give them 39 points and would be enough to avoid relegation because of their goal difference advantage over West Ham.

Tottenham likely need only one more point from their final two matches against Chelsea and Everton to stay in the Premier League. That means a draw tonight could place survival almost entirely beyond West Ham’s reach.

What happens if Tottenham lose to Chelsea today?

Tottenham would remain in relegation danger entering the final Premier League matchday if they lose to Chelsea today. A defeat would leave Spurs stuck on 38 points and could force the relegation battle to continue into the final weekend.

Even if Tottenham lose, survival would still be possible because of their goal difference advantage and West Ham’s remaining fixtures. However, Spurs would no longer control the situation as comfortably and could enter Matchday 38 needing at least one more positive result to guarantee safety.

Chelsea would also extend one of the Premier League’s most one-sided rivalries at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have historically dominated Tottenham at home, winning 26 of their last 40 home meetings in all competitions entering this clash.

The top of the Premier League table ahead of Tottenham vs. Chelsea

How to watch Chelsea vs Tottenham in the USA

Fans in the United States will have limited options to follow this highly anticipated showdown live. Supporters wanting to stream the action online can watch the match exclusively on Peacock, which will provide full live coverage from start to finish.

Meanwhile, viewers preferring a traditional television broadcast can catch the game on NBCSN. With excitement continuing to rise and major stakes surrounding this matchup, this is a can’t-miss event that no soccer fan will want to overlook.

Can I watch Chelsea vs Tottenham for free?

Fans across the United States will be able to watch the entire matchup live on Peacock, the exclusive streaming platform carrying the broadcast.

However, unlike some other services, Peacock is not offering any free trial promotion for this game, so viewers must have an active subscription in order to tune into the action live from start to finish.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

As the season winds down, both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are trying to end disappointing campaigns on a positive note. After winning the Club World Cup, Chelsea entered the year with title aspirations across multiple competitions

However, those hopes faded quickly, capped by last weekend’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City and the end of their chances of qualifying for Europe.

Tottenham’s season has been even more alarming, with Spurs still fighting to avoid relegation heading into this Matchday, though a draw against Chelsea today should be enough for Tottenham to secure their survival thanks to goal difference.

Chelsea vs Tottenham: Predicted Lineups

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Palmer, Neto; Delap.

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison.

What time is the Chelsea vs Tottenham match?

The match kicks off today, May 19, at 3:15 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 3:15 PM
Central Time: 2:15 PM
Mountain Time: 1:15 PM
Pacific Time: 12:15 PM

With the two sides separated by six points in the standings, the outcome of this match will also dictate the fate of West Ham United. Following their heartbreaking, last-minute loss to Arsenal on Matchday 36, the Hammers sit just one point behind Spurs in a desperate race to avoid the drop.

Tottenham are desperate to salvage what remains of a disastrous campaign. After an early Champions League exit and the effectively vanished hope of qualifying for European competition, Spurs have nothing left to play for but their Premier League lives. At this stage, a victory is a non-negotiable must.

While Leeds enter their remaining fixtures with relative peace of mind—as West Ham’s recent defeat mathematically secured their safety for the 2026-27 season—Tottenham’s future remains precarious and entirely dependent on their form in the coming days.

What happens if Tottenham beat Leeds today?

If Tottenham secure a victory over Leeds United, they will extend their cushion over West Ham in the fight for the final safety spot. A win would put them four points clear of the Hammers, providing significant breathing room heading into the final two matches of the season.

The style of play is irrelevant today; whether it’s a high-scoring affair or a gritty 1-0 win, all that matters is the result. With Burnley and Wolves already consigned to the Championship, Spurs need these three points to ensure they don’t join them.

What happens if Tottenham and Leeds tie?

A draw against Leeds would still see Spurs technically extend their lead over West Ham, but only to a slim two points. Such a result would provide a massive boost of hope to the West Ham faithful, leaving the door wide open for a comeback with two games left on the calendar.

What happens if Tottenham lose to Leeds?

If Tottenham fall to Leeds, they will remain just a single point above West Ham at the bottom of the table. A loss would put the Hammers in prime position to leapfrog Spurs in the standings during the season’s final week, potentially sealing a historic relegation for the North London club.

Tottenham’s final fixtures

The road to safety doesn’t get any easier after Leeds. On Matchday 37, Tottenham travel to face Chelsea in a difficult London derby, before returning home for a high-pressure season finale against Everton on Matchday 38.

Premier League standings: The battle for survival

To better understand the stakes at the bottom of the table, let’s take a look at the current standings:

[Watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham online in the US on DirecTV Stream]

It’s a high-stakes showdown with major implications at both ends of the table as Aston Villa meet Tottenham Hotspur in a rivalry clash. Villa hold an edge over Brighton but still need points to lock in their UEFA Champions League spot.

Facing the Unai Emery side will be Tottenham, who still sit in the relegation zone with 34 points, but have a golden chance to jump West Ham and move out of danger, making this a must-win for both sides.

When will the Aston Villa vs Tottenham match be played?

Aston Villa play against Tottenham this Sunday, May 3, for the 2025/2026 Premier League Matchday 35. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM (ET).

Aston Villa vs Tottenham: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:00 PM
CT: 1:00 PM
MT: 12:00 PM
PT: 11:00 AM

How to watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham in the USA

Catch all the action of the 2025/2026 Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham the USA on DirecTV Stream. Other options: Sling Blue, USA Network, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV.

A victory against Aston Villa would provide a massive boost for Tottenham, allowing them to leapfrog West Ham and escape the relegation zone after the Hammers dropped their recent result against Brentford.

If the Spurs draw or lose against Aston Villa, they will remain in 18th place, and the threat of relegation will be looms large with only three matchups remaining in this 2025-26 campaign.

The Premier League relegation scrap

Currently, three teams are battling to avoid the final trapdoor, as Burnley and Wolves have already seen their fates sealed. Tottenham, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest are the only clubs left in danger of finishing in that final relegation spot. Here are the updated standings at the bottom of the table:

Tottenham’s road to safety

To secure their top-flight status for next season, Tottenham likely need to run the table and win their final four games. However, they face a difficult gauntlet of opponents to close out the year.

Here is the remaining fixture list for Tottenham:

• Aston Villa vs. Tottenham | Sunday, May 3 | 2:00 PM (ET) | Villa Park
• Tottenham vs. Leeds United | Monday, May 11 | 3:00 PM (ET) | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Chelsea vs. Tottenham | Tuesday, May 19 | 3:15 PM (ET) | Stamford Bridge
• Tottenham vs. Everton | Sunday, May 24 | 11:00 AM (ET) | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

If Spurs win out, they will successfully avoid the drop, especially since West Ham failed to extend their two-point advantage. However, the situation becomes catastrophic if they drop points in any of these remaining matches.

Spurs have endured a nightmare campaign, currently sitting 18th in the table with just 31 points (7 wins, 10 draws, 16 losses). Their situation grew more dire following Nottingham Forest’s 5-0 thrashing of Sunderland, a result that allowed Forest to pull away from the drop zone.

This leaves Tottenham locked in a two-way duel with West Ham (33 points) to decide who will occupy the final relegation spot. While Burnley (19th, 20 points) and Wolves (20th, already relegated) seem destined for the drop, Tottenham’s fate hinges on today’s results.

What happens if Tottenham win vs Wolves?

If Spurs secure three points on the road, they will reach 34 points, momentarily leapfrogging West Ham to move into 17th place. However, because West Ham are playing Everton simultaneously, Tottenham’s final standing at the end of the day will depend on the Hammers’ result in London.

What happens if Tottenham and Wolves tie?

A draw does little to help Tottenham’s cause, as gaining only one point would keep them in 18th place. This result only gains value if West Ham lose to Everton; in that case, Robert De Zerbi’s men would move within one point of safety with four matches remaining.

What happens if Tottenham lose to Wolves?

A defeat is the worst-case scenario for Tottenham. Should they fall to the bottom-ranked Wolves, Spurs would remain at 31 points and would be forced to pray for an Everton victory over West Ham to keep the gap at two points. If West Ham win while Tottenham lose, the Hammers would pull five points clear, leaving Spurs in a massive hole with time running out.