Premier League Secures Extra Champions League Spot Again
The Premier League will have at least five teams in next season’s UEFA Champions League after earning an extra place through UEFA’s European Performance Spot (EPS).
The additional slot was confirmed on Tuesday following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the quarter-final first leg.
UEFA gives extra Champions League places to the two leagues with the best overall results across its three club competitions. England has led the rankings for most of the season, with all nine of its clubs reaching the round of 16.
Although only five English teams made it to the quarter-finals, strong results earlier in the competition ensured the Premier League stayed well ahead. This means that finishing fifth in the league this season will now be enough to qualify for the Champions League, just as Newcastle United benefited in the previous campaign.
La Liga is currently expected to take the second extra spot, ahead of Bundesliga and Portugal’s league. However, Germany could still close the gap after Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid 2-1, while SC Freiburg remain in European action.
The fight for fifth place in the Premier League is very close. Liverpool currently hold that position with 49 points, but several teams are still in contention, including Chelsea, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland, Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth.
There is also a chance the Premier League could send more than five teams to the Champions League. If Aston Villa win the UEFA Europa League and finish outside the top four, they would still qualify, increasing the total number of English teams.
The same situation could apply to Liverpool, who are still competing in Europe. If clubs win continental trophies and finish just outside the top four, it could open the door for even more Premier League teams to qualify.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are also in the Europa League quarter-finals and could secure a place by winning the competition, even if they finish lower in the league table.
As it stands, the Premier League is set for another strong presence in next season’s Champions League.
