It is often suggested that some teams are "too good to go down".
In reality, poor recruitment and team spirit, or terrible luck with injuries, can thrust any side into a relegation battle and set alarm bells ringing.
Everton, Leicester City and West Ham are fighting for their Premier League lives, despite all having started the season with loftier aims back in August.
The Hammers are still juggling European commitments, Leicester have won the Premier League, FA Cup and finished fifth twice in the past seven years, while Everton have the second-longest unbroken spell in the top flight.