By Graeme Hanna

24th May, 2023 | 1:10pm

£4million on the line as West Ham United take on Leicester in Premier League

West Ham United head to Leicester City on Sunday on the final day of the Premier League season with a whopping £4million on the line, as reported by Football London.

With the threat of relegation removed, as well as the massive distraction from the Europa Conference League final, it may seem that there isn’t much to play for this weekend but that is certainly not the case.

The incentive comes from the Premier League paying out an extra increment of £2million for each upward place in the table and the Hammers can climb up to 12th if other results fall in their favour.

The report set out the permutations involving the other clubs around West Ham in the table, ahead of the final set of fixtures this weekend.

“For that to happen, they need to beat Leicester, hope that Wolves drop points on the final day against Arsenal and that Chelsea lose their final two games of the season against Manchester United and Newcastle United,” it said

“Should all that happen, West Ham will need to overturn the current six-goal advantage the Blues have over the Hammers.

“However, with Irons having a -12 goal difference and Chelsea on -6, two defeats for the Blues and a win for the Hammers would make a chance of that being overturned possible.

“In the 2018/19 season, Bournemouth, who finished 14th that year, were handed a merit payment of around £13.4million for finishing in that position. However, Crystal Palace, who finished two places higher in 12th, were handed just under £17.3million, with merit figures likely to be similar to that.”

Important preparation

The above detail is not insignificant as an extra £4m could help bring in another player as part of the recruitment plan over the summer but this upcoming game isn’t quite the dead rubber that some are suggesting.

After the ecstasy of Alkmaar, the feel-good factor filled the air at the London Stadium when Leeds United were defeated in the last home game of the season, last weekend.

However, as the date with destiny in Prague approaches, the contest against Leicester will form an important preparation for the shot at European glory as it is the last competitive game until David Moyes’ side take on Fiorentina on 07 June.

There will be 10 days between the conclusion of the Premier League season and the final in the Czech capital and that is long enough for the players to be idle.

Selection decisions will be taken by the manager depending on any issues or injury concerns within the dressing room but with the Foxes out to get a result, the competitive nature of the game will suit the Hammers, very well.