The Premier League could land a fifth Champions League spot for next season tonight if two of three Italian teams are knocked out of Europe.
It is normally the case that the top four teams that finish in the Premier League qualify for the Champions League in the following campaign.
But the expansion of the Champions League means UEFA now award an extra place to two countries whose clubs boast the best overall record across all European competitions in a given season.
As of yesterday (March 12), England sat top of the coefficient table ahead of Spain, Italy and Germany – and their fifth Champions League spot could be confirmed tonight (March 13) – depending on Europa League and Conference League results. Here’s everything you need to know…
How can the Premier League clinch a fifth Champions League spot tonight?
The Premier League will seal a fifth Champions League spot this evening if there are European exits for two of three Italian clubs – AS Roma, Lazio and Fiorentina.
Roma face a trip to Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, with the Italian club 2-1 up from the first leg.
Lazio host FC Viktoria Plzen in the same stage of the same competition and also have a 2-1 lead from the first leg against the Czechs.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, take on Panathinaikos at home in the Conference League, looking to bounce back from a 3-2 first leg loss to the Greek team.
Which Premier League team could clinch the fifth Champions League spot?
It is currently tight near the top of the Premier League table underneath leaders Liverpool, who are surging towards with title with 70 points.
It can be argued that every team currently inside the top 10 has a chance of bagging the extra Champions League spot if it’s confirmed tonight.
Arsenal, who sit in second place, have 55 points, third-placed Nottingham Forest have 51 points while fourth-placed Chelsea have 49 points.
Manchester City are fifth with 47 points, the same total as sixth-placed Newcastle United, with Pep Guardiola’s side ahead on goal difference.
Brighton currently sit in seventh with 46 points, with all of the teams below Liverpool mentioned so far having just 10 top-flight fixtures reaming.
Aston Villa have played an extra match and find themselves eighth on 45 points – but the two teams below them, AFC Bournemouth and Fulham, have a game in hand over Unai’s Emery’s men. The Cherries are ninth with 44 points while Fulham, 10th, have 42 points – just five less than City.
Which English teams are still playing in Europe this season?
Ahead of tonight’s matches, there are five Premier League clubs remaining across the three European club competitions.
Arsenal and Aston Villa progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals this week while Manchester United and Tottenham are still standing in the Europa League.
Chelsea are playing in the Conference League, the third most prestigious competition below the Europa League and most elite Champions League.
Liverpool were dumped out of the Champions League on Tuesday night after losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain.
