Premier League relegation: How can Sunderland, Newcastle and Norwich survive the drop?

Sunderland can guarantee safety with a win over Everton, but defeat will set-up a thrilling final weekend

Sam Allardyce and Rafa Benitez are bidding to keep Sunderland and Newcastle respectively in the Premier League (Getty)

Sunderland face Everton on Wednesday night knowing that a victory will secure their status as a Premier League club for another season, condemning Norwich City and north-east rivals Newcastle to relegation in the process.

The Black Cats took a major step towards survival at the weekend after they battled from behind to beat Chelsea 3-2, giving themselves a one-point buffer over Newcastle and four points over Norwich – who face Watford at the same time as Sunderland meet Everton.

Should Sunderland beat the Toffees, they will take a four-point advantage on the relegation zone into the final weekend of the Premier League, meaning that neither Newcastle nor Norwich will be able to catch them and result in the two clubs joining Aston Villa in the Championship next season.

However, should Sunderland either draw with Everton or suffer defeat, then a thrilling final weekend will be in store.

Here’s how the relegation battle can play out this weekend...

If Sunderland lose to Everton and Norwich lose to Watford:

• Sunderland will need to match or better Newcastle’s result
• Newcastle will need to beat Tottenham and hope Sunderland draw or lose to Watford
• Norwich will already be relegated

If Sunderland lose to Everton and Norwich beat Watford:

• Sunderland can draw if Newcastle and Norwich both lose, a win will ensure their safety regardless
• Newcastle need to beat Spurs, hope Sunderland draw or lose and maintain a better goal difference than Norwich if they beat Everton
• Norwich must beat Everton, hope Sunderland draw or lose and better Newcastle’s goal difference

If Sunderland draw with Everton and Norwich beat Watford:

• A draw for Sunderland with Watford will be enough due to their superior goal difference
• Newcastle would need to win and hope Sunderland lose while maintaining a better goal difference than Norwich
• Norwich would need to win and hope Sunderland lose while gaining a better goal difference than Newcastle

If Sunderland draw with Everton and Norwich draw with Watford:

• A draw for Sunderland with Watford will be enough due to their superior goal difference
• Newcastle would need to win and hope Sunderland lose
• Norwich would be all-but-relegated due to their inferior goal difference.

Sunderland can render the final weekend irrelevant by beating Everton to guarantee their safety, but should they slip up then Norwich must win tonight to retain any realistic hope of a miraculous escape. For Newcastle, they can only sit and watch Wednesday night’s matches unfold.