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Survival Scrap: Everton, Leicester, Leeds Fight To Avoid Relegation

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Sunday’s final day of the Premier League season will be dominated by the intense battle for survival as Everton, Leicester, and Leeds find themselves in a nerve-wracking fight to avoid relegation.

 

The financial stakes are high for the two clubs that will join Southampton, who have already been relegated.

 

According to sports business experts Deloitte, a season of Premier League football is estimated to be worth as much as £170 million ($210 million).

 

For Everton, in particular, the potential consequences are dire as they are already in search of external investment to ensure the completion of their new stadium, therefore, the financial blow of relegation is something the Toffees cannot afford to endure.

 

Everton holds a significant advantage as they have full control over their fate, with a victory in their home match against Bournemouth will secure their continued presence in the top flight for an impressive 70-year period.

 

However, Sean Dyche’s men have won just once in 10 games and will be without talismanic striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to offer Leicester and Leeds hope.

 

Dyche said on Friday “We want the players to focus on the game. It’s not as easy as it sounds but that’s the idea: focus on what’s going on the pitch and don’t worry about all the noise.

 

“Don’t worry about all the rumours, don’t worry about anything that’s going on off the pitch.” he added.

 

In the event that Everton, currently in the fourth-bottom position, fails to secure a victory, third-bottom Leicester still has a chance to survive by defeating West Ham in their home match. Leicester’s superior goal difference would be the deciding factor in their favor.

 

The Foxes have experienced an incredible journey, particularly seven years ago when they celebrated a highly improbable title triumph.

 

This marked the beginning of a glorious era for the club, with consecutive fifth-place finishes in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. Just two years ago, under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers, they achieved another milestone by winning the FA Cup for the first time.

 

Many have expressed confidence in the squad, which boasts the talents of players like James Maddison, Youri Tielemans, and Harvey Barnes, believing that they are too talented to face relegation.

 

But the fairytale has turned into a nightmare this season as Rodgers bemoaned a lack of investment to refresh the squad before he was sacked in April.

 

Dean Smith has been unable to mastermind a turnaround in fortunes with just one win in his seven games in charge.

 

Smith said “We have to win the game and not look at the Everton result until after the game. We have to do our job and see where it takes us.”

 

Second bottom Leeds need a miracle to avoid the end of their three-season stay in the top-flight.

 

Leeds, currently in the second-bottom position, faces a daunting challenge to prolong their three-season tenure in the top-flight.

 

To secure another remarkable escape, Leeds boss Sam Allardyce will need his team to secure a victory over Tottenham at Elland Road, but that alone will not be sufficient. They also require Everton to lose their match and for Leicester to fail to secure a victory.

 

If Everton manages to secure even a draw, Leeds will face the additional hurdle of surpassing them on goal difference.

 

In such a scenario, Leeds would need to defeat Tottenham by a margin of three goals to outperform Everton in terms of goal difference. It would indeed require a miraculous turn of events for Leeds to avoid relegation.

 

“I just hope that we’re talking on a very positive nature on Monday morning and I have a hangover!” Allardyce said on the possibility he could remain at the club beyond his caretaker role till the end of the season.

 

Tottenham’s result could have a bearing on the only other issue yet to be resolved – qualification for next season’s Europa Conference League.

 

Aston Villa are in pole position and will secure a return to Europe for the first time in 13 years with victory over Brighton.

 

Tottenham has the opportunity to secure seventh place in the league if they achieve a better result than Aston Villa.

 

However, if both teams fail to win their respective matches, there is a chance for Brentford to create history by qualifying for European competition for the first time.

 

A surprising victory over champions Manchester City in west London would pave the way for Brentford’s European qualification.

 

Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle have already guaranteed their spots in the next season’s Champions League, alongside Manchester City. Liverpool and Brighton, on the other hand, will secure places in the Europa League.

 

Here are the fixtures for the upcoming Sunday matches in the English Premier League, all scheduled for 15:30 GMT:

 

  • Arsenal vs Wolves
  • Aston Villa vs Brighton
  • Brentford vs Manchester City
  • Chelsea vs Newcastle
  • Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest
  • Everton vs Bournemouth
  • Leeds vs Tottenham
  • Leicester vs West Ham
  • Manchester United vs Fulham
  • Southampton vs Liverpool

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Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return

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Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.

Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.

READ MORE: Chelsea Desires Permanent Deal For João Félix After Collapse Of Omorodion Deal

According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.

Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.

After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.

Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.

Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca

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Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.

This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.

Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.

READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea

The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.

While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.

Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.

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Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs

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RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.

This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.

READ MORE: Wizkid Breaks Spotify Records With ‘Kese (Dance)’ Release

The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.

Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.

With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.

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