Albion have reached a defining moment in the Premier League.

After their latest lesson against one of the Big Six, from Chelsea at the Amex, it is now all about the Big Four.

A run of matches likely to make-or-break their bid to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

One win in 13 games, nine of them without scoring, has left them one point off the bottom three but only three points off tenth in the congested scramble for survival.

The poor results since the end of November deserve context.

Five of the seven defeats were against Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea home and away.

After Saturday's fourth round trip to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, Chris Hughton's side face in succession four of the teams also involved in the dogfight - Southampton, West Ham, Stoke and Swansea.

It is a key period representing an opportunity to go a long way towards securing safety.

The Seagulls' prospects of beating the drop will become much clearer by the end of next month - and here's why.

The two away wins to date came against West Ham and Swansea. They also came from behind to draw with Southampton (below) and Stoke at the Amex.

The Argus: West Ham, Swansea and Stoke have all to varying degrees improved for a change of manager - in Stoke's case it is only one game - but Albion are capable of achieving another haul of eight points from the reverse fixtures.

They need to, or at worst win two of them, and not just because it has the dual benefit of damaging a survival rival.

Stoke are the only other team involved in the scrap who do not face one of the top six in the next four matches.

Huddersfield encounter Liverpool and Manchester United, West Brom play Manchester City and Chelsea.

Southampton and West Ham confront Liverpool, Bournemouth and Watford meet Chelsea. Newcastle come up against Manchester United, Swansea against Arsenal and Crystal Palace tackle Tottenham.

In all of these cases, as results have generally demonstrated this season, these are likely defeats or at least unlikely victories.

That, collectively, is a lot of dropped points. The chance is there for Albion to gain ground.

Grabbing it will provide a buffer for when the going gets much tougher.

Albion enter March by entertaining Arsenal. They will have ten matches left by then, half of them against one of the Big Six.

Spurs visit in April, Manchester United for the final home game in May. The Seagulls also still have to travel to Manchester City and Anfield on the last day.

It is a horribly difficult run-in, which also includes tough trips to Everton and Burnley and the return clash with Palace at Selhurst Park.

Unfortunately for Hughton, he will not have his new record signing for at least one, possibly two and perhaps even three of the vital next four matches.

Jurgen Locadia's hamstring injury will definitely sideline him from the trip to St Mary's on January 31. It remains to be seen how much longer the prolific Dutchman will be out after that.

Again, context is required in respect of his capture. While £14 million is an awful lot of money for Albion, it is not a lot for a Premier League striker.

Establishing themselves in the Premier League is going to be a gradual process for the club, particularly as they have never been there before and therefore have not benefited from parachute payments.

Owner-chairman Tony Bloom has now invested well over £50 million in new additions to a squad of players which have only seriously let themselves down twice in 24 games, at Huddersfield and West Brom.

They are giving it a go. The next four games will have a major say in whether they are going to Manchester City again next season or back to Millwall.