Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Tue 17 March 2026 16:10, UK

West Ham United are currently in the relegation zone, but the margins at the bottom of the Premier League are extremely tight.

The relegation battle could ultimately be decided on goal difference, an area West Ham must begin improving in.

When the margins are as close as they currently are now, even the slightest change in the goals scored versus conceded stat could decide the outcome.

West Ham’s recent games have seen the Irons improve their points tally quite a bit, but they have not made much headway in goal difference.

Now is the time for Nuno Espirito Santo to be braver in his approach.

Has West Ham’s goal difference improved alongside their form?

West Ham’s form over the last 10 games has seen a stark difference. In the opening 20 matches this campaign, the Hammers secured just 14 points.

However, Nuno’s turnaround has seen them achieve 15 points in the next 10 games.

Although over those matches, there has not been much change in the Hammers’ goal difference total.

With the London club level on points with Nottingham Forest, there is a danger that the points tally at the end of the season may not be enough.

Nuno must begin being braver in matches and push his team to score more goals. If he doesn’t, the Irons could end up being relegated based on that metric.

Right now, the supercomputer has boosted West Ham’s survival hopes, which will provide some added belief at London Stadium.

How many teams have been relegated from the Premier League on goal difference?

In the history of the Premier League, there have been 33 seasons, and in that period, five relegation battles have been decided by goal difference.

While that makes up just 15 per cent, it is a possibility that very well could occur this campaign.

As shown by the table above, although goal difference has not been a tiebreaker since the 2007-2008 season, the margins can often be tight.

Sheffield United found themselves relegated from the Premier League in 2006-2007, as Wigan Athletic had just one more goal difference than them.

Points, of course, are the priority for the Irons, but at some point, Nuno needs to start thinking about increasing the E20 outfit’s goal difference, too.