This weekend is the final set of fixtures in the Premier League, but which clubs can still qualify for the Champions League and Europa Leauge?
Qualifying for European football is huge for any football clubs. It can put smaller clubs on the map and helps the big clubs attract the best players across Europe. On top of this it brings in lots of money for clubs and missing out on a place can set teams back for years to come.
In the Premier League, the top four teams get Champions League, with three other places available for Europa League. The way in which teams can qualify for the Europa League though can get quite confusing.
Whoever finishes fifth automatically gets Europa League, unless they have won the Champions League then it will go to the team below. The two remaining Europa League spots will go to the two sides who have won the FA Cup and the League Cup.
If the teams who have won the FA Cup or the League Cup finish in the top five then the next team down will get the Europa League spot. Now, this can be very confusing, so we’re going to go through the sides still in with a chance of some form of European Football and what they need to do on Sunday to get there.
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Final Day Results
3rd. Man United, 63 points, +28 GD
Solskjaers should have Champions League football wrapped up already. They have drawn their last two home games against Southampton and West Ham. Considering how they have been playing they should have taken six points from these two and not have to worry about the last day. However, at the start of the year, the Champions League didn’t look a possibility so they can’t complain.
On the final day, they face Leicester who are one point behind them and in fifth place. Both sides are on level goal difference. All United need is a point to guarantee Champions League. If they lose, then they need Chelsea to lose, if not then United will miss out. The only way they could still get in the Champions League if they win the Europa League in which they are priced at 15/8 on Betfair. United are 2/9 to get into the top four.
4th. Chelsea, 63 points, +13 GD
A win on Thursday night would have gotten Chelsea Champions League football, however, they were beaten 5-3 by Liverpool. All Chelsea need is one point, like United, to get into the Champions League. They take on Wolves this Sunday, who they have already beaten 5-2 this season.
Should Chelsea lose, the only way they could get in the top four is for Leicester to get beat also. A draw in the Leicester vs Man United game would see both Chelsea and Brendan Rodgers’ side on 63 points, with The Foxes on superior goal difference. That being said Chelsea are still in the Champions League as it is, but they are currently 3-0 down in the first leg to Bayern Munich. Chelsea are favourite to get top four priced at 1/10 but to win the Champions League is a long stretch at 250/1!
5th. Leicester, 63 points, +28 GD
A loss for Leicester means Europa Leauge as long as Wolves don’t beat Chelsea and close a 13 goal difference gap. Three points on Sunday would guarantee the top four for Leicester, which should have been done long ago. since the restart, they have been on a terrible run with just two wins in eight games.
If Leicester are held to a draw against United they need Wolves to win and they would qualify due to goal difference. Leicester are currently in any European competitions so by Sunday they’ll know if they are in the Champions League or not.
6th. Wolves, 59 points, +13 GD
Top Four is out of the question for Wolves, but Europa League is still very much a possibility. Wolves could still get in fifth place but this isn’t looking likely. They would need to beat Chelsea and United would need to beat Leicester whilst bridging a gap of 15 goal difference.
This is where it gets complicated. As Spurs are one point behind, as long as Wolves get the same result as Spurs or better, they will guarantee 6th. Should Chelsea stay in the top four and win the FA Cup then it would put Wolves into the Europa League group stage if they stay 6th. Wolves are also in the Europa League currently, so Champions League is still a possibility. Betfair has them priced at 13/2 to win the competition. .
7th. Spurs, 58 points, +14 GD
If Spurs better Wolves’ result on Sunday they will finish 6th place and play Europa League football next season. Should they not and then finish 7th then its in the hands of Arsenal and Chelsea in the FA Cup final. A Chelsea win sees them in the Europa League qualifying stages. If their great rivals Arsenal win, then it’ll be no European football next season for Spurs.
