The 40-point mark - or thereabouts - could be needed once again to guarantee Premier League survival this term, with an in-form West Ham United attempting to chase down the sides above them. That mythical number has often been cited as the threshold at which managers, players and fans can relax - but the total has not actually been needed to stay up since 2010-11. Prior to that the only other occasions clubs were demoted with 40 points or more were 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2002-03. While Tottenham - who sacked boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday - are 16th, another two points ahead of Forest. That magic 40-point mark could well be needed once more to avoid dropping into the Championship.

Source: BBC February 12, 2026 14:20 UTC