What Everton, Leeds and Leicester need to avoid Premier League relegation

With the Premier League title and top-four already wrapped up, the focus is largely on the relegation battle as the campaign comes to an end this evening. 

Manchester City have claimed a third-straight Premier League title, while Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester United will be joininig Pep Guardiola’s side in the Champions League next season. 

At the bottom, Southampton’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed over two weeks ago, but which two clubs will join them is still to be decided.   

Everton are in pole position, sat in 17th place after another supremely difficult season. Leicester and Leeds are currently in the relegation zone and face a mighty battle to beat the drop. 

But what does each team need to survive this eveninig? Mail Sport breaks it down below.  

Dean Smith (L) and Sam Allardyce (R) are in for a fight with Leicester and Leeds respectively

Everton

Everton, as stated, are in pole position heading into today’s final round of Premier League fixtures. 

Sat on 33 points, Everton’s survival is in their own hands. A win at home to Bournemouth – who have nothing to play for – will ensure Dyche’s side remain in the Premier League, regardless of what Leicester and Leeds do today. 

Should Everton draw, it could leave them susceptible to the drop on goal difference.

A draw for Everton could be enough to keep them in the division if Leicester lose or draw themselves, but a win for the Foxes – who have a +6 better goal difference – would then see them leapfrog the Merseyside club. 

Leeds could also finish above Everton if the Toffees draw, but it’s unlikely. They would have to beat Tottenham by three clear goals. 

Everton are sat two points above both Leicester and Leeds heading into today’s final fixtures

Leicester

Leicester have to win today if they are going to stay in the Premier League. On 31 points, a draw would not be enough. 

Dean Smith’s side play at home to West Ham – who won’t want to suffer any injuries ahead of their Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina on June 7. 

Leicester don’t have Leeds to worry about, boasting a far greater goal difference. If both teams win, Leicester will finish above Leeds.

However, Leicester’s survival is out of their hands, and they need Bournemouth to do them a favour against Everton. 

The Foxes will survive if they beat West Ham and Everton lose to Bournemouth. They will also survive if they beat West Ham and Everton draw, by virtue of a better goal difference. 

Leicester will hope to get all three points on their final game of the season against West Ham

Leeds

Leeds need a miracle to remain in the Premier League. Like Leicester, a draw won’t be enough – only a win will do, which won’t be the easiest of tasks against an admittedly faltering Tottenham. 

But even a victory could well not be enough. They also need Everton to lose against Bournemouth. An Everton draw could see Leeds leapfrog them, but only if Allardyce’s side beat Totttenham by three clear goals. 

Meanwhile, a victory over Tottenham will mean nothing if Leicester – on the same points but with a +9 better goal difference – beat West Ham. 

Allardyce has claimed just one point in his three games in charge, being a draw against Newcastle alongside losses to West Ham and Man City. 

He needs his first win today, though, otherwise a drop to the Championship will be confirmed.  

Leeds need a lot to go their way if they are to pull off the Great Escape on Sunday afternoon