Thursday 7 April 2016 15:48, UK
With Aston Villa’s relegation very likely, two teams from Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland are likely to join them in the Championship.
Here, WhoScored.com apply their unique rating system for those players to have made 15 or more Premier League appearances in the current campaign.
The result is an XI made up of players in the bottom four who have outperformed their team-mates and can count themselves unlucky to be facing the drop…
GK - Rob Elliot (6.63 rating from WhoScored.com)
Tim Krul's injury earlier in the season presented Rob Elliot with the chance to consolidate the number one spot for Newcastle. However, the 29-year-old subsequently sustained a season-ending knee problem while on international duty last month, which came as a blow to the Magpies' survival bid.
Averaging 2.8 saves per game, Elliot was a commendable performer between the sticks prior to his injury and regularly bailed out the club's struggling defence. His injury means he's unlikely to depart the club this summer, but he has already proved he is one who warrants regular top-flight action.
LB - Robbie Brady (7.25)
Some scoffed at the rumoured £7m spent to secure Robbie Brady's services from Hull last summer, but his Premier League outings for the Tigers suggested he had enough about him to help Norwich retain their Premier League place. Indeed, he's been one of the Canaries' most impressive performers this season.
Had it not been for an injury sustained in November, chances are Jordan Amavi would have featured here, but Brady's form is proof that, despite a team's relegation, individuals have what it takes to forge a solid Premier League career.
CB - Younes Kaboul (6.99)
Having seen his second stint at Tottenham brought to an end last summer, Younes Kaboul was handed a fresh start at Sunderland and after an injury-hit start has forging a commendable understanding with January arrival Lamine Kone.
Only Wes Brown (10.8) is averaging more clearances than Kaboul (8.2), who in turn is winning more aerial duels per game (3.2) than any other team-mate. While he has had his doubters, the 30-year-old has played a key part in each of Sunderland's four clean sheets this season.
CB - Micah Richards (6.97)
He may part of the worst defence in the country, but captain Micah Richards has done more than most to stop the flurry of goals going into the Aston Villa net since his summer arrival on a free transfer.
His proactive nature has been on show on numerous occasions this season, with Richards making 2.6 interceptions and 6.1 clearances per league game for Villa. He's been caught up in the malaise but his admirers will feel there is still a quality player in there.
RB - Daryl Janmaat (6.80)
The Dutchman arrived on Tyneside following an impressive 2014 World Cup and his reputation - despite Newcastle's ongoing problems - remains in tact. A solid performer both pushing forward and at the back, Daryl Janmaat has shown himself to be an accomplished Premier League performer.
An average of 4.3 tackles and interceptions per game accentuates the defensive side of his game, with the 26-year-old suiting the physical rigors of English football, while he is more than capable of providing a further offensive outlet from deep.
CM - Idrissa Gana (7.30)
Signed as Fabian Delph's replacement back in the summer, the jury was quickly out on Idrissa Gana and while he failed to convince instantaneously, he has since emerged as one of Aston Villa's most important players.
In the losing battle to avoid the drop, Gana is soldiering through regardless, having made more interceptions (132) than any other Premier League player this season, while only Danny Drinkwater (155) has won possession in the midfield third more times than the Senegal international (152).
CM - Yann M'Vila (7.13)
One of the more surprising summer signings following his Sunderland switch, Yann M'Vila looks to be one of the buys of the season if his performances in the heart of the Black Cats' midfield is anything to go by.
Signed on loan for the campaign, M'Vila has been a hugely influential member of this Sunderland team as his rating suggests. Sam Allardyce's side will surely struggle to retain the services of the Frenchman in the summer.
AML - Ayoze Perez (6.80)
Although Ayoze Perez penned a new deal in January, all that seemingly did was ward off interest in his signature during the winter transfer window and there will be continued optimism that he can thrive at the highest level in the long term.
The Spaniard has become a fan-favourite since his arrival from Tenerife, with six goals and two assists this season - and they've been important ones too. Those goals alone has earned Newcastle seven extra points and without them it is fair to say the Magpies would be as good as relegated already.
AMC - Georginio Wijnaldum (6.96)
Georginio Wijnaldum quickly endeared himself to the Newcastle faithful after making a strong start to life at St James' Park, but he has endured a more difficult time of late. He has failed to hit the back of the net in his last nine league outings and is still yet to score away from home in the Premier League this term.
Even so, he remains the Magpies' top scorer with nine league goals and the former Feyenoord captain will be in demand if he is unable to help haul Rafael Benitez's men out of the mire.
AMR - Moussa Sissoko (7.00)
Completing a Newcastle dominated offensive line, Moussa Sissoko has been one of the club's standout performers since Rafa Benitez took over following Steven McClaren's dismissal.
Indeed, two of his three WhoScored.com man of the match awards have come in two of the three matches Benitez has managed. He's been routinely linked with a move to another Premier League side in the past and Newcastle could command a hefty fee this summer if he - as expected - he lines up for France at Euro 2016.
FW - Jordan Ayew (6.79)
Like Gana, Jordan Ayew took time to settle at Villa Park, but is still among the club's most talented players. And while there have been low points, notably his red card in the 2-0 defeat at West Ham, he has looked a bright spark for the bottom club.
He certainly boasts the technical ability to succeed in England and given that the Ghana international has popped up with five goals - Villa's joint-top scorer - in a side that's struggled desperately, he would be a handy pick up for a top-flight team.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find live in-game data as well as player and team ratings. You can follow scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with their free app.
