Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has claimed that as many as 13 teams could realistically be in a relegation scrap in the latter stages of the 2017-18 campaign.
Just 14 points separate eighth-placed Leicester City from bottom club West Bromwich Albion after 25 games.
There are just four points between the bottom seven, while Palace in 13th spot are only three points clear of the relegation zone at this stage of the season.
The Eagles will host 14th-placed Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, and Hodgson has conceded that every game is vital due to the current situation in the Premier League.
"Every game is [a six-pointer] at this stage. You can ask me that question for the next 12 games after this," Hodgson told reporters.
"It must have been a long time ago, if ever, that so many teams were so close to each other with the distance between the bottom team and the team that is eighth being so small.
"Every time a team gets a win they shoot up the table, or every time a team is defeated they plummet down. We know these games are vitally important and all we can do is try to play well."
Palace picked up a point at West Ham United in their last league fixture on Tuesday night.
Matt Law
