'Must-win' game in battle to beat the drop

Updated 11.26 Mon Apr 23 2007

Keywords: West Ham United, Sheffield United, Charlton Athletic, relegation, Premiership, football, sport, Wigan Athletic, Fulham

Alan Pardew is urging Charlton Athletic to rise to the occasion and beat relegation rivals Sheffield United as they bid to win their fight for Premiership survival.

Watford, who are 11 points away from the relative safety of Neil Warnock's 17th-placed Blades, are set to confirm their immediate return to the Championship this weekend regardless of their result at home to Manchester City.

"If we are going to get out of it, this is a must-win game" - Alan Pardew

And with just six points separating the next five teams at the bottom, the race is on to avoid the dreaded drop out of English football's elite.

West Ham, who are five points adrift of Sheffield United, must beat Europe-chasing Everton at Upton Park to stand any chance of preserving their top-flight status while Wigan Athletic, who are three points clear of the drop zone, visit Liverpool, who are looking to seal third spot.

Fulham, who are behind Paul Jewell's Latics on goal difference, will be looking to halt their eight-match winless run at home to Blackburn Rovers while Charlton are desperate to get three points from their 'must-win' relegation six-pointer.

Pardew said: "If we are going to get out of it, this is a must-win game. We are all taking that approach into the game. It focuses the mind and that can't be a bad thing. Sheffield United are in a great position but it is not just between us and them to stay up."