West Ham's recent surge has reignited debate about whether the 40-point mark will prove crucial for Premier League survival this season. Sitting 18th with 24 points, the Hammers trail 17th-placed Nottingham Forest by just three points, while Tottenham's struggles have opened the door for David Moyes' side to climb the table.

History suggests West Ham are more than capable of mounting a survival charge. They hold the record for being relegated with 42 points in a 38-game season and have previously earned 15+ points from their final 12 matches to stay up in multiple campaigns. Their current points tally is the highest for an 18th-placed team at this stage since 2019-20, when they ultimately secured safety with 39 points.

With 12 games remaining, West Ham's recent form - taking 10 points from their last five matches - contrasts sharply with Tottenham's meager four points from 27 available and Forest's two wins in 10 games. The race for survival could hinge on whether Nuno Espirito Santo's side can maintain their momentum and push toward that traditional safety threshold. Their season-ending fixture against Leeds could prove decisive in determining whether 40 points becomes the magic number once again.