sport news Who are most at risk of Premier League relegation after Southampton's huge win ... trends now

As Unai Emery and Patrick Vieira shook hands at Villa Park in the wake of Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, one manager knew Premier League safety was all but assured for next season. 

The other knew he had been roped into an almighty scrap for survival.

A sizeable chasm has now emerged between the top 11 and bottom nine. They may be 12th in the table, but Palace's league position flatters to deceive.

In terms of points, the Eagles are now closer to the foot of the table than they are to Aston Villa directly above them, with just a six-point gap separating them from rock-bottom side Bournemouth. 

Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Leicester, Leeds, Everton and Southampton are sandwiched between Palace and the Cherries and are all at serious risk of the drop, in what promises to be one of the closest relegation tussles in Premier League history.

Therefore, with just 13 matches to go until judgement day, Sportsmail takes a look at the relegation picture to predict which three teams are most at risk of the drop.

With Manchester City, Brighton and Arsenal in their next three games, clouds at Selhurst Park are likely to darken for Crystal Palace in the immediate future.

Winless so far in 2023, there's no denying Wilfried Zaha has been a huge miss for Vieira's side, who have struggled for goals since the turn of the year.

The Ivorian hitman found the net with a sumptuous finish early on against Villa, highlighting the clinical touch Palace have been missing during his injury, but his effort was marginally chalked off for offside.

Without him, it's been a torrid spell at Selhurst Park for Eagles fans.

Netting just four times in their last nine league fixtures, Palace have lost four and drawn five in 2023, slipping into relegation trouble despite a fruitful start to the campaign.

Palace's freefall towards the foot of the table could continue with reigning champions City, high-flyers Brighton and league leaders Arsenal up next, but there are still plenty of opportunities for points between now and the end of May.

Their fate will rest almost entirely on the six-pointers they have left, with Palace set to face every single side in the bottom eight either at Selhurst Park or away from home.

Blessed with a solid defence in comparison to other teams in the mix, with Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi continuing to make strides in their development, the Eagles should fend off relegation with relative ease so long as Zaha continues to find the back of the net.

Once Palace chalk up a couple of crucial six-point victories, spirits should lift and help them carve out enough of a run to beat the drop.

VERDICT: SAFE 

The West Midlands club looked in serious danger of relegation ahead of the World Cup break in November. 

New boss Julen Lopetegui has done well to quell fears since his arrival, but his job is by no means over yet.

The 1-0 triumph against Tottenham on Saturday launched Wolves above Leicester and Nottingham Forest in the table, although they have played one more game than every relegation-threatened side excluding Everton.

Wolves also only play three teams below them between now and the end of the season, with crucial clashes against Leeds, Forest and Everton - as well as Crystal Palace - to come.

Next weekend's huge home meeting with Leeds later this month could decide the direction of their season. Win, and they could be a victory away from joining the comforts of mid-table. Lose, and the gap they've worked so hard to fashion on those below them will evapourate.

Based purely on the talent of their squad alone, Wolves have no doubt underachieved this season with the likes of Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes and Pedro Neto at their disposal. Their firepower in midfield in particular is surely enough to dominate matches down the stretch, even if their strikers are struggling for goals.

The shrewd additions of Craig Dawson, Pablo Sarabia, Mario Lemina and Matheus Cunha in January should play a major part in keeping them afloat, but Lopetegui will need to confirm their safety ahead of a trip to the Emirates on the final day.

VERDICT: SAFE 

If anyone knows what it's like to survive teetering on the edge of a cliff, it's Steve Cooper.

The Nottingham Forest boss was on the brink of the sack before the Premier League paused for the World Cup but was given a vote of confidence by the City Ground chiefs. No doubt the board will be pleased with the results.

Sitting 14th in the league, Forest have given themselves some much-needed breathing space outside the relegation zone - a section of the Premier League table they've resided in for much of this season.

However, Cooper is wise enough to know that the job is far from complete. With five of the conventional big six still to face, opportunities to pick up points will be few and far between.

Having prospered at home this season, unbeaten in their last nine matches at the City Ground, Forest will likely need to pick up all three points when they host Wolves and Southampton later this year.

Their only other six-pointers come against Leeds and Crystal Palace away from home, with a trip to Selhurst Park on the final day of the season.

Brennan Johnson has been immeasurably important to Cooper this campaign, reliably contributing goals and assists since the turn of the year, while Chris Wood has also looked a smart addition since his move in January, giving Forest much-needed physicality up front.

While still in a precarious position, Forest should just have enough to beat the drop, even if they slip further down the table before the end of the season.

VERDICT: SAFE 

James Maddison angrily took to Twitter on Tuesday to hit back at the media's criticism of Leicester last weekend, urging that his side weren't as bad as reports might suggest against Southampton.

The fact of the matter is, the Foxes are now just two points above the relegation zone following their miserable 1-0 defeat at St Mary's and have to be viewed as genuine relegation candidates. Any shred of complacency could be disastrous.

Brendan Rodger's side isn't too dissimilar to the one he marshalled into the Europa League in 2020-21, with Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Kelechi Iheanacho and Youri Tielemans all playing major roles during the impressive campaign.

There's no doubt Leicester have the quality to fend off relegation but things just haven't been clicking at the King Power this season, with several players injured and others pondering moves away from the club this summer.

Struggling to deal with Jamie Vardy's significant drop-off in terms of goal contributions, Maddison's fitness will play a major part in their fight for survival, with the England international the most adept at creating and finishing off big chances.

Fortunately for Leicester, seven of their remaining 13 fixtures will be played at the King Power, with crucial home clashes against Bournemouth, Wolves, Everton and West Ham to come.

The Foxes also have a couple of six-pointers away from home before the end of the season, facing both Crystal Palace and Leeds in April.

Despite their disappointing season, Leicester should have enough big matches at the King Power to avoid relegation. What they look like next season, with Maddison and Tielemans very likely to leave this summer, remains to be seen.

VERDICT: SAFE