What are the permutations for Europa League and Europa Conference League for us, the Gooners and the Russians?
Manchester City may be about to win the Premier League title, and Fulham, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion are all relegated to the Championship. But the race for the top-four and UEFA Europa League places looks set to go down to the last game of the season; with several clubs still in with a chance of getting into Europe for next season.
At the time of writing, the two Manchester clubs, Chelski and the Foxes hold the top-four spots, with the Spammers, scousers, the Toffee chewers, the Gooners, and us all in with a chance of getting into the top-four or securing a Europa League place.
The newly introduced Europa Conference League is set to make the permutations that little bit more complicated?
Who will be in Europe next season?
The clubs that finish in the top four will qualify for next season’s Champions League and the winners of this season’s tournament and the Europa League.
City and the Russians will go head-to-head in this season’s Champions League final, while United will face Villarreal in the Europa League final. With all three clubs primed to finish in the top four it won’t mean that clubs outside the top four will be allowed in the European Champions League.
A maximum of five English clubs can participate in the competition, but English clubs will not be given an extra place.
City and United are already guaranteed top-four finishes, whilst Chelsea looks like joining them, most probably by finishing third. The battle for fourth place looks as though it could go down to the final whistle, with Leicester facing three difficult remaining league fixtures and Liverpool and the Spammers close by. Good TV viewing, but not good for the hearts if you support one of those teams that hope for a European place.
Who will qualify for the Europa League?
In previous years, three Europa League spots have always been there for us, but the introduction of the Europa Conference League makes the situation slightly more intriguing. The club that finishes fifth in the Premier League table will qualify for the Europa League alongside the FA Cup winners. If the FA Cup winner finishes in the top five of the Premier League, the sixth-placed team will qualify for the Europa League.
From next season, only 32 clubs will participate in the Europa League’s group stages compared to the 48 that we have seen in previous years.
The Premier League could end up with just one club in the Europa League next season if an English side wins a European tournament and qualifies for the Europa League through domestic football. For example, if Chelski won the Champions League final and dropped out of the top four, although improbable.
The Europa Conference League is UEFA’s new third-ranked lowly European tournament, which, in truth, is a beggers lift up (or is that down?) from the Europa League proper. God knows which day that will be played, as Tuesday and Wednesday are taken up by the European Champions League, and Thursday’s is Europa nights. Maybe they’ll push the new competition to Monday nights?
The club that finishes in sixth or seventh in the Premier League will go into the final round of frontrunners for next season’s opening Europa Conference League. However, that depends on who lifts the FA Cup. All complicated stuff… but UEFA doesn’t do simple.
The winners of the Carabao Cup should have been the ones going into the Europa Conference League. Still, because Manchester City defeated us in last month’s final and are guaranteed a top-four finish and Champions League spot, that is no longer the case.
A total of seven clubs will qualify for Europe next season. It could be increased to eight if Chelsea win the Champions League final and fall out of the places required for a Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference spot. Perplexed, you are not the only ones.
Fifth is the position that will guarantee a Europa League place; unless Leicester finishes fifth and wins the FA Cup, all eyes will be on the Spammers, Scousers, the Toffee chewers, and us, even the Arsewipes could get a look in as well.
I think that explains it all.
Now, where is that bottle of wine?
It is finally here, a new super book about the greats, Glories and all you want to know about the Tottenham great players (we are not worthy!) who have graced White Hart Lane and beyond. Sixty years ago this month, the Greatest Football club in the world won the double with probably the most outstanding team on this planet.
Has your eye’s seen the Glory? If yes (or even no) click HERE and follow the link, then they/ you will, and for those that are longer in the tooth (in other words, old like me)…. be prepared to be dazzled all over again!
COYS!
All the best, Glenn
COYS!
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”