Nottingham Forest and Leeds could be forced into the relegation play-offs if the unlikely scenario unfolds. Both clubs currently sit outside the bottom three, but will be looking over their shoulders nervously between now and the end of the season.
If the situation goes against them, a playoff may be needed to separate the teams in the standings and decide who will move down the standings. If this happens, it will be the first time in the history of the Premier League that such a match has been played.
If both teams are tied in points, goal difference, and total points, an unlikely playoff matchup will begin. If the two sides remain inseparable according to these criteria, both clubs’ head-to-head record will eventually fall before they reach the highest number of away goals in their head-to-head record.
Both Forest and Leeds matches this season ended in 3-1 wins for the home team. As a result, it will turn out that there is no relationship between head-to-head results and away goals.
Therefore, if the head-to-head results were to be decided, the only way to separate the two clubs would be a one-off play-off match at a neutral venue.
The winner of this match will retain their Premier League status, while the losing team will experience relegation to the Championship.
The possibility of that happening is still very low, but it cannot be completely ruled out. Both teams currently occupy 15th and 16th place in the Premier League table, with Leeds (36 points) three points ahead of Forest (33 points).
Both clubs need to catch up with 18th place Tottenham (30 points) and 17th place West Ham (32 points). The difference between the two teams is just two goals, but Leeds have scored 49 goals compared to Forest’s 44.
Los Blancos return to action on Saturday when they welcome Wolves to Elland Road. Meanwhile, Forest entertain Burnley at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Leeds beat Manchester United 2-1 on Monday night, and both teams will be heading into the match in positive spirits. Meanwhile, Forest beat Porto 1-0 on Thursday to advance to the Europa League semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Tottenham face Brighton at home on Saturday with kick-off at 5.30pm. West Ham travel to face Crystal Palace on Monday night (kick-off 8pm).
