Premier League relegation snapshot: Crazy Saturday scrambles table

On Saturday, Watford learned it will play in the Premier League for the first time in eight years despite being on its fourth manager this season alone.

As for one of the top-flight spots Watford will take … well, that scrap is getting just as crazy.

The bottom of the Premier League table swung in several different directions on Saturday, and now Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley sit in the drop zone. Sunderland has played one less game than those two teams, but just as many as Hull City and Leicester City, which sit directly above Sunderland in the table.

With about a month left in the season, here’s how things are shaping up for the teams in the relegation scrap.

14. Newcastle United (35 points) — It typically takes about 37 points to stay safe in the Premier League, so in that regard, Newcastle should feel good. That’s the only thing the Magpies should feel good about these days. Their 3-2 loss to Swansea at home on Saturday was their seventh straight league loss, a new club low, and they’ve won only twice since John Carver took over as manager for the departed Alan Pardew in late December. One more win could seal safety for Newcastle, and there are no big boys left on the schedule. But at this point, it’s hard to see where even one win will come from.

15. Aston Villa (32 points) — Fernandinho's late winner denied Aston Villa a vital point at Manchester City on Saturday, and Villa remains just two points above relegation. The Villans’ recent form has been encouraging, and with over a month to go until an FA Cup final date with Arsenal, their focus can rest squarely on remaining one of only seven clubs who have never been relegated from the Premier League.

16. Hull City (31 points) — Hull won 2-0 at Crystal Palace on Saturday, its first triumph since February 21, and it did so by catching the kind of breaks that can prove critical in the relegation fight. On the first goal, a poor touch by winger Robert Brady guided the ball off his hand, but no call was made and Brady’s ensuing cross deflected right to striker Dame N’Doye for an easy finish. N’Doye put the match to bed with a second goal in stoppage time. The result is desperately needed, since the Tigers have a brutal finish that includes games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.

17. Leicester City (31 points) — Leicester took a big step toward safety with a narrow 1-0 win at Burnley, and a two-minute stretch near the hour mark came to define the tense affair. Burnley’s Matthew Taylor clanged a penalty kick off the right post, and shortly after, Leicester striker Jamie Vardy followed up a misplayed cross for the only goal of the match. Kasper Schmeichel proved just as valuable for Leicester, making several noteworthy saves on the day. Left for dead just a few weeks back, the Foxes have won four straight and surged upward from last place. Can they finish off a great escape?

18. Sunderland (30 points) — Another year, another relegation fight for Sunderland, which has finished in the top half of the table just once since returning to the Premier League eight years ago. The Black Cats drew 1-1 at Stoke City on Saturday, and while it’s laudable to get a result at the Britannia, Sunderland desperately needs to bag wins, because trips to Arsenal and Chelsea to finish the season don’t figure to yield many points.

19. Queens Park Rangers (27 points) — QPR will be kicking itself extra hard this weekend after a scoreless draw at home against West Ham. Star striker Charlie Austin missed a penalty midway through the first half at Loftus Road, and defender Steven Caulker had a goal called back in the 74th minute when the referee controversially ruled he interfered with West Ham goalkeeper Adrián. As it stands, trips to Anfield and the Etihad in the next two weeks may seal the big-spending London club’s fate well before the end of the season.

20. Burnley (26 points) — The home loss to Leicester City may condemn Burnley to a one-and-done season in the top flight in many people’s eyes. However, the Clarets never lack for fight, and visits to Hull City and Aston Villa in the last four fixtures will provide first-hand opportunities to escape the drop zone.