The Premier League suffered a setback in its bid to secure a fifth spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League after Manchester City and Arsenal were eliminated from Europe. The additional spot is determined based on coefficient rankings, which are calculated by points gained from clubs across the current season’s UEFA competitions. Teams earn coefficient points for match wins and reaching different stages of the tournaments. The Premier League, currently in third place with a coefficient average of 16.875, has had eight clubs in Europe this season, accumulating a total of 135 coefficient points.
Italy leads the coefficient rankings with a score of 18.428, followed by Germany with 17.642. England was tied with Germany but dropped to third after the European exits of Arsenal and Manchester City. Spain and France are in fourth and fifth place, respectively, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain still in contention for the Champions League title. Italy, with four teams remaining in Europe, currently has the highest coefficient average, putting them in a strong position to secure an extra place in next season’s Champions League.
Key fixtures that could influence the coefficient rankings include Liverpool facing Atalanta and West Ham playing Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League quarter-finals, as well as Aston Villa meeting Lille in the Conference League quarter-finals. The outcomes of these matches, along with other upcoming games, will play a crucial role in determining which league ultimately earns the extra Champions League spot. Liverpool trailing 3-0 in their tie with Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen holding a 2-0 advantage over West Ham highlight the importance of these matches for the Premier League’s chances.
The Champions League format is set to change next season with 36 clubs participating in a new league phase, creating four additional spaces. One of these spots will go to the team ranked third in the league table of the country in fifth place in the national coefficient standings, potentially opening up an opportunity for a fifth-placed Premier League team to qualify. TNT Sports, the new home for premium live sports rights in the UK, will showcase key fixtures, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League matches, allowing fans to follow the action as the race for the extra Champions League spot heats up. With Liverpool, West Ham, and Aston Villa still in contention in European competitions, the outcome of these matches will have a significant impact on the coefficient rankings and the allocation of the extra Champions League place for next season.
