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Joe Mewis

Leeds United's final day permutations with seven-figure financial windfall up for grabs

Sunday afternoon promises to be an unforgettable occasion at the end of an unforgettable season for Leeds United fans.

The Whites' first Premier League season for a generation has been an unmitigated success, with Marcelo Bielsa's side serving up some of the division's best football on their way to a top half finish, with a host of records being set along the way.

Finally, after 442 long days, supporters will be back inside Elland Road for Sunday's visit of West Bromwich Albion.

At first glance, this may seem like a typical end-of-season affair, with the Baggies already relegated and Leeds on for a mid-table finish.

Ignoring the narrative strands to the afternoon - the return of supporters, Sam Allardyce's Baggies farewell and the likes - there is still plenty to play for.

Here is a look at some of the permutations ahead of Leeds United's 2020-21 finale...

European hopes

It's a testament to the campaign that Leeds United have enjoyed that European football is not mathematically ruled out going into the final weekend of the season.

While a seventh-place finish and a place in the inaugural Europa Conference next season is highly unlikely, it is still possible.

Leeds would need to leapfrog Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham to claim seventh-place, which would to see those three all lose, with a 15-goal swing with Spurs.

While that is clearly the stuff of fantasy, it's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to Leeds' fixture list next season.

Places mean prizes

What is more significant is Leeds' final position in the table, as this will dictate their final prize money for the season.

In addition to fixed payments each side will earn at the end of the season, Premier League merit payments are issued for each place up the table they finish.

Each finishing place will see approximately £2million extra in the Elland Road coffuers, so how many places can Leeds realistically expect to jump up on Sunday?

Should Arsenal drop points at home to Brighton and Leeds win, they will overtake the Gunners in ninth.

A Leeds win and an Everton defeat at Manchester City will see Bielsa's men overtake the Toffees.

As outlined above, a goal difference mircale is needed to finish above Spurs (who visit Leicester City), meaning the best-case realistic scenario would be leapfrogging Arsenal and Everton and finishing eighth - which would see another £4million added to the transfer kitty.

Should Leeds remain tenth (they cannot finish any lower), that is a full seven places higher than what the club budgeted for at the start of the season, which equates to an additional £14million or so.

Bragging rights

Last time Leeds were in the Premier League, Arsenal completed their invincible season, but if Bielsa's men can take advantage of any Gunners slip-up, they will finish above the Londoners for the first time since the 1994-95 season.

The 2001-02 season was the last time Leeds finished ahead of both Tottenham and Everton finished.

The fixtures to look out for

These are the three fixtures that Leeds fans will be needing to keep an eye on with regard to their final Premier League position when the action kicks off at 4pm on Sunday afternoon:

Arsenal vs Brighton

Leicester City vs Tottenham

Manchester City vs Everton

What position will Leeds finish this season? Have your say below

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