THE scrap at the bottom of the Premier League table is almost as intense as it is at the top.

Just 11 points separate the bottom five clubs, all of whom could find themselves in the Championship Division next season.

Indeed, Brentford, who are in 15th place on 28 points, are by no means guaranteed Premiership football next season, or even Crystal Palace, who are one slot ahead of the Bees and two points in front, for that matter.

But one has to believe that if Sheffield were to be relegated, the other two teams to accompany them would probably come from Burnley (19th place/31 played/19 points), Luton Town (18/31/22), Nottingham Forest (17/31/25) and Everton (16/30/26).

Against this background, the fixture at Goodison Park today, where Everton await Burnley, will carry with it a few storylines.

Not least of these will be Burnley attempting to close the seven-point gap on their opponents. But they will have to do it without Vincent Kompany in the dugout.

The Belgian head coach was sent off during last weekend’s match with Chelsea. He was shown the red card for protesting a penalty that saw Lorenz Assignon also receive his marching orders.