Premier League suffers huge blow in race for extra Champions League spot
- Premier League's hopes of fifth Champions League place next season in major doubt
- Liverpool and West Ham succumbed to defeats in the Europa League
- Aston Villa's win against Lille could keep chances afloat
This week's European matches hold significant weight in determining which of the continent's top divisions will secure an extra Champions League place next season, with the Premier League's hopes in the balance following unexpected outcomes in the quarter-final first legs across Europe.
The expansion of the Champions League to 36 teams with a 'Swiss League' format means the top two countries in UEFA's coefficient rankings earn extra spots. Success at any level, not just the Champions League, earns bonus points.
Liverpool's surprising 3-0 loss to Atalanta at Anfield not only jeopardises their Europa League final hopes but also impacts England's chances of claiming the additional slot. Similarly, Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich at the Emirates diminishes England's prospects further.
Italy is likely to secure an additional slot, with Atalanta, Roma, AC Milan and Fiorentina contributing to their high coefficient.
Current 2023/24 UEFA coefficient table
Rank | Nation | 2023/24 average coefficient |
|---|---|---|
1. | Italy | 18.428 |
2. | Germany | 16.785 |
3. | England | 16.750 |
4. | Spain | 15.062 |
5. | France | 14.750 |
England's chances are hindered by the progress of German teams, with the Bundesliga surpassing the Premier League's coefficient score.
West Ham's defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund's loss to Atletico Madrid further complicate matters. However, Aston Villa's Europa Conference League run bolsters England's standing.
Man City and Arsenal will meet in an all-English semi-final if they progress past Madrid and Bayern respectively, while the German giants could yet meet Dortmund in the Wembley final.
Opta has given England a 57.8% chance of securing the spot compared to Germany's 41.8%. If granted, eight Premier League teams could participate in Europe next season.
The top five league finishers would enter the Champions League, sixth place and the FA Cup winners would join the Europa League and the Carabao Cup winners - Liverpool - would qualify for the Europa Conference League. If cup winners finish in the top six, seventh and eighth place teams could also qualify.
Aston Villa and Tottenham are currently tussling for fourth place in the Premier League and each club will be keen to secure that position and avoid having to rely on England's coefficient score to qualify for UEFA's revamped flagship competition next term.
How UEFA coefficient points are awarded
Points | Awarded for |
|---|---|
2 | Wins in group stage (UCL, UEL, UECL) |
1 | Wins in qualifying and play-off matches (UCL, UEL, UECL) |
1 | Draws in group stage (UCL, UEL, UECL) |
0.5 | Draws in qualifying and play-off matches (UCL, UEL, UECL) |
4 | Group stage bonus participation (UCL, UEL) |
4 | Last 16 bonus participation (UCL) |
4 | Group winners (UEL) |
2 | Group runners-up (UEL) |
2 | Group winners (UECL) |
1 | Group runners-up (UECL) |
1 | Each round clubs reach from the round of 16 (UCL, UEL, UECL) |
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