Our Goal Difference

[FCBurnley]

Current goal differences of the bottom 7 are

Brentford-15
Leeds-21
Everton-12
Newcastle-19
Watford-19
Burnley-9
Norwich -38

Might just save us. Things are tightening at the bottom

[Rowls]

We don't want to have to rely on it but it's almost worth half a point.

The thing that should give us more hope is that it indicates we're not as bad as many of the teams around us - we've simply been bad at the wrong times and consistently the wrong side of small margins.

If we can keep up the form of the past 2.5 games we can climb away.

[EarbyClaret]

In terms of games where we might concede big we've already played Arsenal, Liverpool and United twice

We lost 2-0 to City, drew 1-1 at Chelsea and 0-0 at home to West Ham. Spurs (twice) remain a concern but barring injuries we don't look like we are going to be on the end of too many heavy defeats in the games we have left

[Tall Paul]

Goal difference tends to be a better metric than points to indicate how good a team is and predict future results, so in that respect we're in with a decent chance.

[FCBurnley]

And we have played 8 of the current top 10 away.

[yorkyclaret]

What is the record for lowest goal difference for a relegation from the Prem?

[lakedistrictclaret]

What is the record for lowest goal difference for a relegation from the Prem?

I've not checked, but I seem to remember reading that Manchester City once got relegated with a positive goal difference.

[EarbyClaret]

:

Can't find that stat - in 2003/04 City finished 16th with a +1 GD

The reference to them being relegated with a positive GD relates 1937/38 as far as I can see - unless there's another more recent example

[dougcollins]

We don't want to have to rely on it but it's almost worth half a point.

The thing that should give us more hope is that it indicates we're not as bad as many of the teams around us - we've simply been bad at the wrong times and consistently the wrong side of small margins.

If we can keep up the form of the past 2.5 games we can climb away.

If we finish level on points with any of those it's actually worth another point.

[KRBFC]

Everton's next 3 fixtures, City home, Spurs away, Wolves home.

They've still got to play West Ham (a), United (h), Liverpool (a), Chelsea (h), Leicester (a), Arsenal (a).

Their remaining fixtures look pretty difficult

[FCBurnley]

Leeds dont exactly have an easy run in either. Starting at Liverpool tomorrow

[Devils_Advocate]

If we finish level on points with any of those it's actually worth another point.

Its worth half a point because if we finish on level points it gives us the edge but if we finish a point behind it doesnt bring us level and is no use.

[dougcollins]

Ok, 0.99 of a point then. Or 0.01.

[Rowls]

Ok, 0.99 of a point then. Or 0.01.

Or 0.999

Or 0-001

...

[FCBurnley]

It’s actually not worth any part of point. It is simply the tie breaker in the case of level points.

[Devils_Advocate]

Ok, 0.99 of a point then. Or 0.01.

Yep anything and everything between 0 and 1

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

'Things are tightening at the bottom'

Time for a tin of prunes?

[Grimsdale]

Our GD of -9 is the joint second best in our Premier League history at this stage if the season, equal with 2016/17 and behind 2017/18 when we were on 0.

Perhaps no surprise our worst season at this stage was our first where we were on -22.

[IanMcL]

We don't want to have to rely on it but it's almost worth half a point.

It's worth a whole point at the day of reckoning, if tied.

[jurek]

One other fact is that we've only played 10 at home whilst other
teams around us have played 2 or 3 more at home.
But we do need to ensure we make the most of that and try
to win those games in hand starting with Spurs tomorrow.

No mean feat especially given Spurs result at City on Sunday.

It's not a must win but let's hope we can put in a good performance
and get a result even if it's only a draw.

[LoveCurryPies]

We are solid in defence however not scoring. (Well until the lasts match)

[dermotdermot]

It’s massive. It will keep us up. We will stay up. We are on the up. Others, including, Everton are being sucked into a vacuum.

[KateR]

the main thing for me is you'd rather be going in to this dog fight with that difference than having a few teams, or even one team with a much better GD than you. Of course it's worth zero if you don't have the same points or better than three other teams, but I'd rather have this crumb of comfort than not.

[Malvern claret]

A bit off topic, but in the early years of the premier league Norwich once finished 3rd with a negative goal difference.