The Premier League want Everton to be given a huge points deduction if they are found guilty of breaching financial fair play rules, according to reports.
Mail Sport revealed last week that Everton's disciplinary hearing into alleged breaches had started in secret, with an independent commission set to make a final decision on whether they have committed any offences.
A verdict on Everton's financial situation is expected later this week, and the Premier League are already preparing for if they are found guilty.
They want the Toffees to be given a severe punishment if wrongdoing is proven, and will recommend a 12-point deduction, as reported by The Telegraph.
Sean Dyche's side currently sit 16th in the Premier League table after taking seven points from their opening nine games.
If the Premier League get their wish, they would drop to minus five points, leaving them with a major uphill task to stay in the league.
Newly-promoted Luton Town currently occupy 17th spot, and have secured five points, meaning Everton would be 10 points behind them if the deduction was brought in with immediate effect.
This follows on from the team only avoiding relegation on the final day of last season, while their Premier League status was only confirmed after their penultimate game the year before.
Everton were charged by the Premier League for breaching financial rules in March after their records showed losses of almost £372m over a three-year-period when the competition's limit is £105m.
The club have strongly denied any wrongdoing, and believe they will be cleared as they claim they received allowances from the Premier League due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Leeds, Leicester and Burnley have all written to Everton's future owners 777 Partners warning them that they will sue the club for £300m if the Toffees are found guilty of breaching financial rules to avoid getting relegated over the past two seasons.
American investment company 777 Partners are still waiting for Premier League approval to replace current owner Farhad Moshiri at the helm at Goodison Park.
Everton are facing legal action for a separate matter as well, with Mail Sport revealing last week that they have been reported to the Premier League for allegedly failing to pay an agent fee.
The global agency has sent multiple legal letters to the club over an unpaid invoice worth several hundred thousand pounds.