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Matty Hewitt

Seven Premier League great escapes Leeds United can look to for inspiration

Leeds United know they need a repeat of last season if they want to survive in the Premier League. Jesse Marsch's men picked up a vital win at Brentford with Newcastle United beating Burnley to send the Clarets packing to the Championship.

However, the Whites could swap places with Vincent Kompany's side in the top tier if they fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road this weekend. Sam Allardyce's side need Everton and Leicester City to lose to ensure Premier League safety for another season.

Leeds Live has taken a look at some of the Premier League's 'Great Escapes' for some inspiration for the Whites this weekend.

READ MORE: Leeds United's relegation not down to 'shoot for the stars' approach like 2004 says Simon Jordan

Fulham 2007-08

Roy Hodgson's Fulham won five and drew one of their last nine games with a final day win over Portsmouth sending Reading and Birmingham packing to the Championship. The current Crystal Palace boss inspired the Cottagers to a great escape and then a European venture the following season.

However, it could have been a very different story had Danny Murphy not latched onto a cross from a Jimmy Bullard free kick after 75 minutes. The Fulham midfielder sent the ball past a helpless David James to ensure Premier League survival.

Oldham 1992-93

The younger football fan may have no clue that National League side Oldham Athletic played in the inaugural Premier League season. They matched Fulham's five wins and one draw in their last nine games to stay up with Crystal Palace relegated on goal difference.

The Latics survived a late comeback to defeat Southampton 4-3 on the final day while Palace lost 3-0 against Arsenal.

Bradford 1999-00

Bradford City are another side who pulled off a great escape with three wins and a draw in their final five games of the 1999-00 season. David Wetherall's goal gave the Bantams a shock 1-0 win over Liverpool which kept them in the top flight after 77-years of trying to return.

Sunderland 2013-14, 2015-16

'The Great Escape' and Sunderland almost go hand in hand for their endeavours during the last decade. The Black Cats picked up four wins and a draw, all in their last six games, to ensure safety in 2013-14.

Gus Poyet's side beat Chelsea and Manchester United on their route to safety. In 2015-16 the Wearsiders picked up three wins and five draws in their last nine to stave off relegation for another season, relegating arch rivals Newcastle United in the process.

West Ham 2006-07

The Hammers' remarkable record of seven wins in their last nine games takes the somewhat controversial crown for their escape in 2006-07, much to the dismay of Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United.

Carlos Tevez and Mascherano both signed for the Hammers that season, helping keep them in the Premier League, but breached Premier League rules regarding third party ownership of players. Tevez scored in a 1-0 win over Manchester United, a club he would join the following season.

Wigan Athletic 2011-12

The Latics picked up and impressive seven wins and one draw in their final nine games of the Premier League season in 2011-12, a run of form that would see them finish 15th. Wigan would see off Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, lifting them to 15th.

A 3-2 win over Wolves on the final day of the season put any relegation fears to rest.

Leicester City 2014-15

The Foxes are another side that pulled off the near impossible. With just nine games left to play, Leicester City were rooted to the bottom of the table with 19 points, seven from safety and picked up an impressive seven wins and one draw from the games in question.

A 5-1 win over QPR on the final day of the season saw the Foxes romp to safety. They didn't do badly the following season as they won the Premier League title.

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