How eleventh within the Premier League might qualify for Europe with weird situation
The Premier League could have a record 11 teams in Europe next season – including five in the Champions League – if results go a certain way in the closing weeks of the campaign
Premier League clubs are in a mad dash to secure a spot in Europe next season, despite the uncertainty surrounding the requirements.
Remarkably, there’s a scenario where as many as 11 English teams could be playing in the Champions League, Europa League or UEFA Conference League next season.
The most straightforward path to Europe’s premier club competition, the Champions League, is by finishing in the top four of the Premier League.
Liverpool, currently enjoying a comfortable 22-point lead over fifth place, are practically guaranteed a spot, with Arsenal and Nottingham Forest also in strong positions.
The scenario under consideration involves Manchester City rounding out the top four – a feasible outcome given they’re currently fifth, just one point behind Chelsea.
Newcastle United could also snag a Champions League spot if they finish fifth, as UEFA plans to award an extra place to the two best-performing leagues in this season’s European competitions.
Currently sixth, the Magpies are only one point behind City. If Brighton manage to climb one spot from their current position and finish sixth, they’ll secure a place in the Europa League.
Bournemouth could join the ranks if they triumph over Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals and subsequently lift the cup, reports the Express.
This 11-team scenario would require the Cherries to finish seventh – three points above their current position – and Chelsea to slip from fourth to eighth, but still secure a Europa League spot by winning the Conference League.
The Blues are gearing up for a Conference League quarter-final clash with Legia Warsaw, and they’re tipped as the favourites to clinify the title.
Aston Villa, currently ninth in the league, could still bag a Champions League spot by winning this season’s competition. They’re set to face Paris Saint-Germain in a quarter-final showdown next month.
Both Manchester United and Tottenham have made it to the Europa League quarter-finals. If either team wins the tournament while finishing 10th in the Premier League, they’ll earn a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Newcastle secured a Conference League place by clinifying the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
However, under these specific circumstances, neither they nor any other top 10 team would be eligible for it, as they would all have already qualified for one of the three European competitions.
The spot would thus go to the team that finishes 11th in the table. Currently, Brentford are the lucky contenders.
But Bees manager Thomas Frank might not be getting his hopes up, considering the long chain of events required to land them this unlikely opportunity.
