Race for Europe: Current Premier League Standings and Qualification Permutations
As the Premier League season nears its climax, the competition for European qualification spots is reaching fever pitch. Clubs are jostling for positions to secure places in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, or UEFA Conference League for the 2025/26 campaign.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of how things currently stand and the various permutations that could influence which clubs represent England on the continental stage next season.
The Champions League Chase Heats Up
With only a handful of matches remaining, the race to secure UEFA Champions League qualification is tighter than ever. The Premier League is set to award five Champions League berths due to its impressive performance in UEFA competitions this season. Only four points separate the clubs placed between third and seventh, making the situation highly unpredictable.
Matchweek 33 offered yet more drama. Nottingham Forest managed to bounce back into form with a hard-fought 2-1 away victory against Tottenham Hotspur, which briefly lifted them back into third place. However, Manchester City responded in style. They not only defeated Everton but followed that with a thrilling late 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa on Tuesday evening, leapfrogging Forest in the standings.
Aston Villa’s defeat had consequences, seeing them drop to seventh. Chelsea, who had snatched a last-gasp win at Fulham on Sunday, rose above Villa in the table, occupying sixth.
Elsewhere, a wide pool of clubs remain in contention for European places. Brentford, sitting 11th, demonstrated their intent by defeating 10th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 in a lively contest, thus keeping their hopes alive.
Who Has Already Secured European Football?
Newcastle United are already assured of a place in the UEFA Conference League for next season, having lifted the EFL Cup. However, that may not be the final European competition they play in. Depending on their final league position, Newcastle could qualify for either the Champions League or Europa League instead.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are guaranteed a spot in next season’s Champions League. The Reds cannot finish lower than third, which is comfortably within the qualifying range for Europe’s premier competition in 2025/26.
European Qualification Explained
UEFA Champions League
Thanks to outstanding performances by English clubs across UEFA tournaments this season, the Premier League is now guaranteed a top-two position in UEFA’s association club coefficient rankings. This earns England a “European Performance Spot” (EPS), providing an extra place in the Champions League.
As a result, the top five teams in the Premier League will qualify directly for the Champions League. Additionally, should a team win the Europa League and finish outside the top five, England could have as many as six representatives in next season’s Champions League.
UEFA Europa League
There are two Europa League places available to English clubs. One is reserved for the team that finishes sixth in the league. Normally, it would be fifth place taking this spot, but England has already secured one of the top two positions in the EPS, so the top five are heading to the Champions League instead of the top four. The other Europa League place is awarded to the FA Cup winners.
UEFA Conference League
The winners of the EFL Cup qualify for the UEFA Conference League. This season, that honour went to Newcastle United, who ended a 56-year trophy drought with a memorable victory over Liverpool at Wembley.
Alternative Routes into Europe
While domestic league and cup finishes are the primary avenues to qualify for European competition, there are other possible paths.
Winners of the Champions League and Europa League automatically gain qualification for the following season’s Champions League. Meanwhile, the winners of the Conference League secure a place in the next Europa League.
When domestic cup winners already qualify for Europe through their league position or another competition, their European spot is passed down the Premier League table. For instance, if the FA Cup winners also qualify for Europe via the league or by winning a European competition, their Europa League spot goes to the next-highest Premier League club not yet qualified for any UEFA competition.
The same logic applies to the EFL Cup winners. Should Newcastle secure Champions League or Europa League football through their league performance or by winning another competition, their Conference League place would be passed down to the next eligible Premier League club.
Newcastle are especially keen to achieve a high league finish that would enable them to swap their current Conference League place for a spot in one of the more prestigious European tournaments.
The Impact of the FA Cup
The FA Cup could play a significant role in shaping England’s European contingent for next season. The four remaining clubs in the FA Cup – Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace – could influence the number of English teams playing in Europe.
Forest, Man City, and Villa are all still in the race for Champions League qualification via the Premier League. If any of them win the FA Cup and also qualify for either the Champions League or Europa League through other means, their Europa League slot from the FA Cup would then be passed down to the next-highest league finisher not already in Europe.
Crystal Palace, who are currently outside the top five, would take the FA Cup-awarded Europa League place outright if they were to win the competition at Wembley.
Could 10 English Clubs Qualify for Europe?
A scenario exists where as many as ten English clubs could be competing in Europe next season. Though unlikely, it remains a possibility based on several specific outcomes. Here is one hypothetical scenario:
- Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, and Manchester City finish in the top five, securing Champions League qualification.
- Aston Villa or Brighton secure sixth place and a Europa League spot.
- Bournemouth finish seventh and inherit the Conference League place from Newcastle if the latter move up to a higher-tier competition.
- Chelsea finish eighth but qualify for the Europa League by winning the current Conference League campaign.
- Crystal Palace end the season in 10th place but win the FA Cup to gain Europa League qualification.
- Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur finish 11th and secure a Champions League place by winning this season’s Europa League.
Such a chain of events would lead to six English clubs playing in next season’s Champions League, three participating in the Europa League, and one in the Conference League.
Manchester United and Spurs’ European Hopes
Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are facing a difficult path in the Premier League. After 32 matches, they sit 14th and 15th respectively, making it highly improbable that they will secure European qualification through league position alone.
As such, their best chance of qualifying for European competition next season lies in their performance in the Europa League. Both clubs remain strong contenders to lift the trophy and, in doing so, could seal a spot in next year’s Champions League.
Conclusion
The fight for European qualification in the Premier League is shaping up to be one of the most intense in recent memory. With just a few points separating multiple clubs, and various scenarios involving domestic cups and European tournaments in play, predicting the final European lineup is no easy task.
As things stand, up to ten English clubs could be lining up in UEFA competitions next season. Fans can expect more twists and turns as the final weeks of the campaign unfold. Every point matters, every fixture counts, and for many clubs, European dreams are very much alive.