Which Premier League clubs will qualify for the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League?
The close of the 2022/23 Premier League season is upon us, but the European picture still has a couple of blemishes heading into the final day.
The addition of the Europa Conference League and the recent success of English clubs in Europe means almost half of the top flight will be competing in continental ventures next season.
Here's an overview of the teams that'll be playing in UEFA's three major cup competitions in 2023/24, and how the situation might change by the end of the current campaign.
How many Premier League teams will be in Europe next season?
The Premier League's lofty coefficient means that seven places are reserved for English clubs across UEFA's three competitions. These seven places are obtained either by league position or success in a cup competition (Carabao or FA Cup).
However, the places reserved for European titleholders are separate if a team does not qualify domestically. As a result, West Ham, who will finish in the bottom half of the table, could be the eighth Premier League club to qualify for Europe next season should they win the Europa Conference League.
The winners of that competition automatically qualify for the following season's Europa League.
Which Premier League places will qualify for Europe next season?
The Premier League's top four qualify for the Champions League, while fifth place secures passage into the Europa League.
The other Europa League spot goes to the FA Cup winners, but as this season's finalists are both guaranteed a top-six finish, the victor's spot in the competition will instead go to the team that finishes sixth in the league.
The winner of the Carabao Cup earns a spot in the Europa Conference League, but seeing as that was Man Utd this season, their place will instead go to the team that finishes seventh.
2022/23 Premier League table
Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Man City | 36 | 28 | 4 | 4 | 62 | 88 |
2. | Arsenal | 37 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 40 | 81 |
3. | Newcastle | 37 | 19 | 13 | 5 | 35 | 70 |
4. | Man Utd | 36 | 21 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 69 |
5. | Liverpool | 37 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 28 | 66 |
6. | Brighton | 36 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 20 | 61 |
7. | Aston Villa | 37 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 4 | 58 |
8. | Tottenham | 37 | 17 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 57 |
9. | Brentford | 37 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 56 |
Which Premier League teams have qualified for the 2023/24 Champions League?
Newcastle's stalemate with Leicester means they will return to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. The Magpies are the third team to book their place in next season's competition, along with Manchester City and Arsenal.
Manchester United are expected to join them after they beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the weekend. Erik ten Hag's side need one point from their final two games to guarantee a Champions League place.
Which Premier League teams have qualified for the 2023/24 Europa League?
No team has officially qualified for the 2023/24 Europa League, but it's highly likely that Liverpool and Brighton will finish fifth and sixth respectively.
Liverpool could yet qualify for the Champions League, but they'll need to beat Southampton and hope Man Utd lose both of their remaining games.
Brighton, meanwhile, are assured of their first taste of European football and only a miracle will see them drop into the Europa Conference League. The Seagulls are three points ahead of seventh-place Aston Villa while boasting a vastly superior goal difference. Thus, Roberto De Zerbi's side needs just a point from their remaining two games to secure a Europa League berth.
Villa host Brighton on the final day of the season, but they require a 16-goal swing even if they do overcome their visitors.
Liverpool and Brighton will be joined by West Ham in next season's Europa League if the Hammers beat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
Which Premier League teams have qualified for the 2023/24 Europa Conference League?
Again, no team has booked their place in the newly introduced Europa Conference League. This will be the third iteration of the competition, and Villa are currently in pole position to finish seventh and thus qualify.
Tottenham and Brentford are in the mix, however. Should Villa slip up against Brighton, a victory for Tottenham over Leeds will send them into the Conference League. Should both Villa and Tottenham fail to win their final game, victory for Brentford over the champions will grant them their maiden European berth.
