The Premier League’s seven-way relegation battle – who will survive?

Middlesbrough: 18th (22pts)

Middlesbrough are a tough one to work out. At the start of the season, I backed them to finish in the top half, I felt Karanka’s style of football would suit the Premier League well, and not only that, I also felt they invested very well in the summer.

Defensively, they have one of the most assured backlines in the division, but up front has been their undoing. They simply do not execute enough goalscoring opportunities and at this level, you have to do that.

Summer signing Alvaro Negredo needs more supply and service, and if they manage to do that more often, the former Manchester City man will score goals and potentially keep them up.

Negredo still has that pedigree in front of goal. But Boro have been fruitless recently, and it’s looking bleak for them. Sure, defensively they are sound in terms of the goals conceded ratio, but they are still losing crucial points and games as the season reaches its penultimate finale.