Everton have endured a miserable 2023.
This campaign has been a struggle both on and off the pitch, and the Toffees, who are 19th, face a huge Premier League basement battle at Leicester City on Monday (20:00 BST).
Dropping into the Championship would be catastrophic for both clubs but especially Everton, having posted losses of more than £430m over the past five years and with their new stadium on Bramley Moore Dock being built but in need of financing.
They are also awaiting news of any potential sanctions after being referred to an independent commission by the Premier League over an alleged breach of financial fair play rules, with the club "prepared to robustly defend" their position.