Which EPL teams will qualify for Europe? Champions League, Europa League spots decided
The race to Europe is hotting up in the Premier League and it’s still wide open for multiple teams with only a couple of rounds to play.
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Liverpool and Manchester City have booked their spots in the Champions League but there’s plenty of competition for the remaining places in Europe.
There are two rounds left of the English Premier League and while the Reds have already wrapped up the title and City are guaranteed runners up, there’s still lots to play for as other teams fight it out for the riches that come with Champions League and Europa League qualification.
The top four Premier League teams gain entry into the Champions League, while whoever finishes fifth qualifies for the Europa League. There are also other ways for teams to qualify for both competitions, which we’ll run through below.
As it stands, Manchester United (third) Chelsea (fourth) are well placed to join Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League. But Leicester (fifth) can jump into the top four if they win their final game and the Blues or Red Devils lose or draw.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION
The current Champions League campaign was put on ice because of coronavirus. Winning the competition guarantees you entry into the next edition of the tournament.
Chelsea is the only English club still alive and a win over German giants Bayern Munich will see them progress to the quarter-finals.
If they win the whole thing then they will qualify for the Champions League regardless of where they finish on the Premier League ladder, even if it’s outside the top four.
The club that wins the Europa League is also guaranteed access to the Champions League the following season. Both Manchester United and Wolverhampton are still alive in the Europa League, so if one of those teams wins overall, then they too will qualify for the Champions League no matter where they finish in the Premier League.
A maximum of five English teams are eligible for Champions League qualification.
EUROPA LEAGUE QUALIFICATION
In addition to being the best-placed side outside the top four, English clubs can also gain entry to the Europa League by winning domestic competitions the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup.
However, if the FA Cup or Carabao Cup winners have already qualified for Europe by finishing in the Premier League top five, their Europa League positions go to the next highest-ranked teams.
Manchester City won the Carabao Cup most recently which is good news for lower-ranked sides. Because the Sky Blues are already assured of Champions League qualification, their Europa League spot will go to the Premier League team that finishes sixth.
Arsenal are in the final of the FA Cup where they’ll face off against Chelsea. Should any of those teams who finish in the top six also win the FA Cup, then their Europa League slot will go to whoever finishes seventh in the Premier League.
This is good news for lower-ranked sides like Wolves, Tottenham, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Burnley, who all remain in the hunt for Europa League berths.
Guaranteed Champions League qualification: Liverpool, Manchester City
In the hunt for Champions League qualification: Chelsea, Leicester, Manchester United
In the hunt for Europa League qualification: Wolverhampton, Tottenham, Sheffield United, Burnley, Arsenal
Originally published as Which EPL teams will qualify for Europe? Champions League, Europa League spots decided