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Think Southampton vs Stoke this Sunday is a dead rubber? Think the same about Burnley vs West Ham and Leicester vs Bournemouth? Think again.
With each position in the Premier League worth an additional estimated £1.9million thanks to the new TV deal, there is still plenty to play for.
A strong end to the season will see sides handsomely rewarded as only five points separate West Brom in eighth – worth £24.7m in merit money – and Watford in 16th – worth £9.5m.
Payments in the Premier League are on the up. In 2015-16, Arsenal topped the Premier League payments with £101m while bottom boys Aston Villa took home £66m. That included each club receiving a minimum £64.6m (£8.8m for live TV games, £21.9m for domestic TV income, £29.4m for overseas TV income and £4.5m for central commercial). Now in 2016-17, Chelsea are set to take home more than £150m while Sunderland are guaranteed about £100m. The domestic TV deal that was kick-started this season is worth £5.136billion over three years. The overseas TV deal, meanwhile, is worth £3bn.
As Sportsmail’s table shows, there are millions up for grabs in these games.
Chelsea are already champions and will take home more than £150m in Premier League payments this season, with £38m of that for finishing top.
The rest is largely made up of money from live TV appearances and equal shares of domestic and overseas TV income.
Sunderland are already relegated and are set to receive around £100m, though they will only be rewarded the basic £1.9m for finishing bottom.
The Black Cats all but know their fate. Above them, though, are several clubs who can bank significant bonuses.
Southampton are among those in that crowded bunch.
They currently sit ninth in the Premier League, which would be worth £22.8m in merit money. Finish eighth and they would get £24.7m. Finish 12th and it would drop to £17.1m.
There is also West Ham. Slaven Bilic’s side are currently 12th (£17.1m) but can finish as high as ninth (£22.8m) or as low as 16th (£9.5m).
The same goes for Leicester, who can come eighth (£24.7m) or 15th (£11.4m).
Elsewhere, Everton are guaranteed to finish seventh and so will be paid £26.6m in merit money. Relegated Hull will finish 18th and receive £5.7m.
Chelsea last season received a total of £87.3m, including £13.7m for finishing 10th. Now, they have hit the £150m jackpot, with £38m of that for finishing top.
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