Credit: Tung Manh Phan/Breaking Media

Mark Smith

Sat 25 April 2026 10:10, UK

West Ham United are preparing to face Everton in a crucial Premier League showdown on Saturday, but the weekend could not have started worse.

The Irons are currently two points ahead of the bottom three and Tottenham, but it looks as though the final relegation spot is down to those two.

That’s because Leeds hit 40 points in midweek, moving seven points ahead of the Irons, with Nottingham Forest moving to 39 with a 5-0 drubbing of Sunderland on Friday.

Not many expected that result at the Stadium of Light, with serious daylight being added to West Ham and Tottenham by those above.

Jamie Redknapp believes Nuno Espirito Santo and Roberto De Zerbi will have been watching on, with the Hammers desperately needing a positive result against Everton now.

West Ham will also expect Spurs to beat Wolves later on Saturday, so regardless of what’s happening, they must take care of their own business.

Speaking live on Sky Sports Premier League after Forest’s win at Sunderland, Redknapp shared what effect that result will have on the Irons.

“Managers now are looking at everything they can get,” he said.

“I don’t think anybody expected that result, maybe before the game, a point would be a good result, but to go there and completely turn the goal difference in your favour and get three points in the manner they did.

“It will certainly have sent shockwaves through the West Ham and Tottenham fanbases, and the players and the managers.”

West Ham vs Tottenham for final relegation spot

Leeds and Nottingham Forest aren’t fully out of it yet, but it would take a huge final five games of the season from West Ham and Spurs to turn those gaps around.

The Whites also welcome Burnley to Elland Road next, so you would only expect another three points to be added to their tally, although stranger things have happened.

West Ham know that after Everton, they travel to Brentford and welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium, two notoriously difficult fixtures.

It’s time to stop forcing a reaction, though, and get proactive in making sure of wins and points.

Right now, there is zero point in looking ahead or trying to predict every single game; that simply won’t help Nuno, the players, or the fans.

As Forest’s win at Sunderland proved, points are always available in the Premier League, no matter who you’re playing against.

Three points against Everton, and this conversation will be very different, so it’s time to get behind those Hammers on another huge afternoon.