In a season that has produced so many twists and turns, it is impossible to predict what will come next.
Since the Premier League became a 20-team format in 1995, the average number of points needed for safety has been 36.
But that will not be enough this time around given that West Ham have already reached that tally and currently occupy the third and final relegation place.
“West Ham had been the form team out of the three clubs,” said Smith.
“Until the Brentford game [on Saturday], you looked at them and thought, ‘Nuno [Espirito Santo] has got a really strong tactical discipline there and has shaped them into a proper team’.
“They looked totally doomed in January but Nuno took them from that and managed to craft a bit of an identity, and they did seem to put a little bit of a run together.
“So Saturday came as a real shock – against a team that hadn’t won in eight games. To put in that performance having built up a little bit of steam is worrying.”
According to data experts Opta, the Hammers are now favourites (77.71%) to be relegated, with Tottenham at 22.03% and Forest just 0.13%.
If the three sides continue picking up points at their current rate, then it will be the Hammers who are relegated to the second tier for the first time since 2011.
The 2023 Conference League winners are averaging 1.03 points per game, which would mean they finish the season on 39 points.
Tottenham’s return of 1.06 points per game puts them on course to finish on 40 points, while Forest are on track to secure safety for a fourth consecutive season by earning a tally of 46 points.
In a relegation battle like no other, will the Premier League have one final shock in store?
