The battle to avoid relegation in the Premier League is hotting up and for Southampton, Bournemouth and Leeds, their season took another turn for the worse over the weekend, with Leeds axing manager Jesse Marsch.
All three teams suffered damaging losses and, with the season now well past the halfway mark, there were clearly some itchy feet in the Elland Road boardroom.
Southampton are rooted to the bottom of the table following a 3-0 loss at Brentford with boss Nathan Jones showing clear signs of pressure in his post-match press conference.
He criticised the club's fans and his players, believing he has compromised his principles too much since joining.
Bournemouth's descent into the relegation zone continued as Gary O'Neil tries to get a tune out of the players he signed during the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, Leeds' poor post-World Cup form continued with Jesse Marsch's men going down 1-0 at Nottingham Forest - the Whites have now picked up just two wins from 17.
In terms of relegation odds, Southampton are 4/11 to go down with Bournemouth 1/5. Leeds are still odds against at 6/5.
Jones struggling in Premier League heat
| What | Southampton v Wolves |
| Where | St Mary’s, Southampton |
| When | 15:00, Saturday 11th February, 2023 |
| How to watch | N/A |
| Odds | Southampton 7/4, Draw 11/5, Wolves 13/8 |
Jones' spell as Southampton manager has been a disaster in terms of league performance with the Saints winning only one of the seven games he has taken charge of.
Promising cup performances looked to have bought the Welshman some time and a hugely impressive 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final was indicative of a team playing for their manager.
However, the league is the priority and Southampton were well-beaten at Brentford with the Saints' 11-year stint in the top-flight now under severe pressure.
Related Premier League News
Premier League review: Champions slip up in title chase
Premier League: Leeds United's American contingent
Reports have surfaced claiming some players are not happy with Jones and the board are also asking question due to the Saints boss' abrasive nature in post-match pressers.
The ex-Luton manager was backed in January and two attacking signings in Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana will hope to liven up their flailing attack - Jones' side have scored only five in seven league games.
Up next is an enormous home game against Wolves followed by trips to Chelsea and Leeds - a trio of contests that will make or break Jones' Saints career.
Cherries sleepwalking towards trouble
| What | Bournemouth v Newcastle |
| Where | Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth |
| When | 17:30, Saturday 11th February, 2023 |
| How to watch | Sky Sports Main Event |
| Odds | Bournemouth 19/4, Draw 7/2, Newcastle 8/15 |
Bournemouth were expected to struggle this season so fans are generally more patient towards O'Neil. However, their slump in form must be arrested quickly or their second Premier League stint will be over after just one season.
The Cherries thought they were going to earn a very creditable point against south coast rivals Brighton but the Seagulls swooped in and stole a late winner in the form of Kaoru Mitoma.
Like Southampton, Bournemouth were active in January and they need their new signings to hit the ground running.
Bournemouth have now lost nine of their last 11 games and things do not get any easier as they prepare to welcome back old boss Eddie Howe and his Newcastle side to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Marsch runs out of time at Leeds
| What | Manchester United v Leeds |
| Where | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| When | 20:00, Wednesday 8th February, 2023 |
| How to watch | N/A |
| Odds | Manchester United 9/20, Draw 4/1, Leeds 5/1 |
A 2-1 win at Liverpool in October followed by a frantic 4-3 win over Bournemouth a week later may have convinced Leeds fans a corner was being turned under Marsch.
However, seven winless games have followed, the latest being a 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and the fans had seen enough.
Leeds started the game well but, as it has been for much of the campaign, they didn't take any of their chances and Forest netted against the run of play.
There appeared to be little structure and attacking cohesiveness in the second half and fans voiced their discontent towards the American after the game.
Leeds are another team who spent big in the January window so now there could be no more excuses offered by Marsch.
Back-to-back fixtures against Manchester United are followed by games against relegation rivals Everton and Southampton, with a new manager tasked with picking up points quickly.
Everton make huge leap under Dyche
| What | Liverpool v Everton |
| Where | Anfield, Liverpool |
| When | 20:00, Monday 13th February, 2023 |
| How to watch | Sky Sports Main Event |
| Odds | Liverpool 1/2, Draw 7/2, Everton 5/1 |
The big winners at the weekend were Everton who became only the second team to beat Arsenal in the Premier League this season in what was a dream debut for new boss Sean Dyche.
The former Burnley manager arrived with the task of keeping the Toffees in the top-flight and immediately got a response.
In many ways, the was classic Dyche - disciplined, organised and a great showing of strength from set-pieces.
Everton might not necessarily be a favourite of the neutrals for the rest of the season, but the football will be effective and now they can go into next Monday's Merseyside derby feeling confident of nullifying the out-of-form Liverpool.
West Ham were also grateful recipients of a point at Newcastle on Saturday as Lucas Paqueta cancelled out Callum Wilson's early goal.
It has been a disappointing campaign for David Moyes' side after two excellent years in which they have sealed European football. However, more performances of a similar ilk should see them climb the table.
Julen Lopetegui is having a positive effect at Wolves with his team sweeping Liverpool aside 3-0. The Spaniard is injecting more goals into the side following a dismal first half of the season.
On the slide perhaps are Crystal Palace. Patrick Vieira's men have won only one of their last eight league matches and will be without talisman Wilfried Zaha for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Palace are 12/1 to go down but are badly out of form and need a shake up.
