Nuno Espirito Santo (left) took over at West Ham in September. while Roberto de Zerbi (right) become Tottenham boss in March
Only two horses are left in the race that no-one wants to lose - the scrap for Premier League survival.
With two games to go, andBurnleyandWolvesalready relegated, eitherTottenhamorWest Hamwill be joining them in the Championship next season.
Spurs, in 17th, are two points clear of 18th-placedWest Hamafter beingheld to a 1-1 draw by Leeds Unitedon Monday -. also have the superior goal difference.
While a point is not to be sniffed at, the chance to go four points free of the Hammers was missed by Roberto de Zerbi's side,. Spurs remain without a home win in the top flight since 6 December.
"If we want to win, we have to reduce the mistakes," said De Zerbi.
West Ham. who saw Callum Wilson's stoppage-time equaliser ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) in Sunday's1-0 defeat by leaders Arsenal,are rooted in trouble.
"It's going to be tough [to stay up] - we know it is not in our hands," said boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
"We will fight for it and we will keep on fighting."
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WithLeeds,Crystal PalaceandNottingham Forestall securing their place in the top flight following last weekend's results,TottenhamandWest Hamknow time is running out to avoid the drop.
The odds are in Spurs' favour.
According to the Opta supercomputer, they have a 19.5% chance of relegation, compared to 80.5% for Nuno's Hammers.
West Hamtake onNewcastle Unitedat St James' Park this Sunday, two days before Spurs play next, atChelsea.
IfWest Hamcan win atNewcastle- they beat the Magpies 3-1 at home in the league in November - then they will jump to 17th. push Spurs into the relegation zone by one point.
Anything other than a Hammers win. though, would hand the advantage back toTottenham- who could then ensure their safety by winning atChelsea.
The chances of Spurs picking up a win at Stamford Bridge. however, might be slim, as they have managed it just once since 1990, with a 3-1 victory in April 2018.
If the battle does go down to the wire on 24 May, both teams have home games, withTottenhamwelcomingEvertonandWest HamfacingLeeds.
The draw withLeedsfelt like an opportunity missed. I felt like we deserve to win, but we just weren't clinical in front of goal.
However, we are still in the driving seat,. we need a minimum of four points to stay in the Premier League.
I feel confident [Tottenhamcan stay up] because in the past four games, we've picked up eight points - two wins. two draws - and there is a real belief and confidence under Roberto de Zerbi.
But one of the remaining games isChelseaat Stamford Bridge -. we've only won there once in 36 years, so that's going to be tough.
I'm glad De Zerbi came in when he did; it was certainly a waste of time with [former interim head coach] Igor Tudor. his 44-day stint.
But De Zerbi seems to be getting a tune out of these players, so I live in hope.
We're going to now watchWest Hamtravel toNewcastle,. hopefully they don't pick any points up there, then Spurs need to just go and get a result atChelsea.
It was hard not to feel defeated afterWest Ham's controversial home loss toArsenalon Sunday.
But Spurs' draw withLeedsmeans there's still a lot of hope that the great escape is on in east London.
If it does go down to the final day, then it's hard to look pastWest Hamwinning. With just one loss from their past seven home games (W3. D3), the fans in a similar voice as they were against the Gunners on Sunday andLeedshaving nothing to play for, Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be clear favourites.
If the gap is still two points. then of courseWest Hamwill need former boss David Moyes to do them a favour by beating Spurs away withEverton. A draw won't do becauseWest Ham's goal difference is considerably worse. But anEvertonwin isn't entirely out of the question. given they'll probably need a victory for a chance of qualifying for Europe, while Spurs have just two home wins to their name all season.
Ideally,West Hamwill have their destiny in their hands on the final day, without needingEvertonto get something at Spurs. If that's how it's set up, I back us to get the job done. If not, having to rely on results elsewhere is far from ideal.
Either way. this coming weekend is absolutely huge.West Hamcould be relegated by Tuesday night, or they could be 90 minutes from Premier League survival.
I'm not sure my heart can take any more.
With two games left, the relegation fight betweenTottenhamandWest Hamis on a knife edge -. their recent form tells two very different stories.
Tottenhamhave somewhat steadied themselves under Roberto de Zerbi. They are four games unbeaten (W2 D2), their longest run without defeat this season,. one that reflects a side finally showing some resilience after months of turbulence.
Their last unbeaten run of five matches came in December. January, a period that seems a long time ago now.
Momentum has rarely been Spurs' friend this year, but avoiding defeat at this stage is no small thing.
West Ham, by contrast, are sliding at the worst possible moment. Defeat atNewcastlewould make it three losses on the bounce, something that has already happened twice under Nuno Espirito Santo - once in October. again in December.
When results dip, they tend to dip quickly,. the Hammers' season has been punctuated by damaging spells that have dragged them back into trouble.
Spurs still have their fate in their own hands, whileWest Ham's margin for error is shrinking fast. Over the next two defining games, survival may hinge on who holds their nerve.
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