West Ham's Revival Could Resurrect 40-Point Survival Mark

The Premier League's mythical 40-point survival mark, long considered the threshold for safety, may be back in vogue this season. West Ham United, currently 18th, are exhibiting renewed vigor, having secured 10 points from their last five matches. This surge places them just three points adrift of 17th place, with Nuno Espirito Santo's squad demonstrating a historical capability for strong finishes. Their current points tally of 24 is the highest for an 18th-placed team at this stage since the 2019-20 campaign.

In contrast, Tottenham have faltered, accumulating only four points from their last 27 available. Nottingham Forest, despite being ahead of West Ham, have also struggled, winning only two of their past 10 games. Teams like Brighton and Crystal Palace are also expressing concerns. Brighton, in 14th with 31 points, have won only once since November 30th. Palace, a point and a place above Brighton, have also seen just one victory since December 7th, most recently squandering a two-goal lead against Burnley.

History indicates West Ham's potential to rally, having previously survived with 39 points in 2019-20. The team holds the record for relegation with the most points (42) in a 38-game season, occurring in 2002-03 when they earned 22 points from their final 12 games. With 12 games remaining, and a challenging fixture list including a home tie against Leeds, West Ham's revival could necessitate reaching the 40-point mark to secure their top-flight status.