Albion defender Kerry Mayo believes the relegation battle is destined to become more congested.

The Seagulls' stalwart predicts that as many as eight teams will be embroiled in the fight to stay in the First Division as the season draws to a fraught conclusion.

And boss Steve Coppell reckons Saturday's hosts Walsall are prime candidates to be dragged into trouble.

The force is currently with the sides occupying the relegation places. Albion are unbeaten for four matches in the League, while Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke have each won three of their last five.

Their improved form contrasts starkly with the majority of the clubs hovering just above the drop zone.

Grimsby have taken just two points from the last 12, Walsall two points from the last 18 and Preston one point over the same period. Only Bradford, with three wins out of four, are bucking the trend.

Mayo, survivor of Albion's brush with demotion from the Football League six years ago, said: "We are bottom of the table, but I don't think we are any worse than the other teams.

"In the last few games we have outplayed sides up near the top. I know the league table never lies, but I think we are a lot better than our position suggests.

"All the teams down there are getting results at the moment, ourselves included, but the teams above are starting to drop points.

"It is bringing us closer together and I think come the end of the season there will be a choice of about seven or eight teams fighting for survival, rather than three or four."

Mayo regards Saturday's pivotal trip to the Bescot Stadium as a new beginning for Albion following a refreshing fortnight's break.

The fullback turned left-sided central defender said: "We are just over halfway through the season now and we are still on the bottom of the table.

"All we are doing is looking up at the teams above us, so it was nice to have a little rest period and just start our season again really.

"We've done well in the last few games. We haven't lost since Christmas and we have been outplaying sides. We just want to carry that on going into Saturday to start off with a win at Walsall."

The significance of Saturday's result is emphasised by the impact it will have on the difference between the teams.

If Albion win they will be seven points behind Walsall with next Tuesday's rearranged home game against Wimbledon in hand. Defeat will turn the gap into a 13-point gulf.

Coppell said: "Walsall are potentially in the mix. You look at the teams above us that could be dragged into it and they have got to be a contender.

"They still have that cushion at the moment, but a couple of key injuries, suspensions or bad results could play a part and maybe the FA Cup could get in the way for them as well.

"They, without doubt, will be looking upon this as a massive game because, just as we could say if we get something we will be within distance, they will be thinking they can put us out of the equation."

The equation should be a little easier to work out on Saturday for Albion.

"No-one has expected much in our games recently," Coppell said.

"Against Derby away, Leicester at home, Norwich away, Burnley at home, Coventry away and Porstmouth at home it has been a case in almost all of them that if we get something it is a bonus.

"There are certain teams where ordinarily you think if they are in a good run of form they have got so much more than us, but we have done well against those sides.

"We never really got at Leicester. They were just so strong and in a really good run at that time, but I thought we got in amongst teams like Ipswich and Portsmouth.

"Now with this game for the first time probably since we played Sheffield Wednesday away there is a closer expectation. We won't be 9-2 for this one, probably only 7-2!

"It will be interesting to see how we cope with that, whether we change our mentality."

Albion will have to change the early season pattern of results against their fellow strugglers if they are to survive.

Mayo missed the 2-0 defeat by Walsall on August Bank Holiday Monday, due to the "momentary lapse" in form which seems to affect him near the start of every season before he claws his way back into the side.

The trend continued with 2-1 home defeats against Stoke and Grimsby, the latter Martin Hinshelwood's last in charge at Withdean. Under Coppell Albion have beaten Bradford at home and drawn at Preston and Sheffield Wednesday.

The upturn against the relegation rivals needs to be maintained at Walsall, at Bradford a fortnight later and at Stoke on March 5.

Preston, Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby are then among the Seagulls' final five opponents.

Coppell, though, acknowledges the push for safety has to start now.

"Although there are not many games this month it is an important month for keeping in touch and it could be a really important month for picking up wins," he said.

"We are into the meat of the season. You can see the finishing line and each game takes on more importance.

"At the end of next week we will only have 15 left."