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It sounds crazy, but it’s mathematically possible: up to 11 English Premier League clubs could be playing European football next season.
The 2024/25 European qualification picture is more chaotic than ever - and it’s not just the top six who are dreaming. With the right mix of results in the EPL, FA Cup and UEFA competitions, even a side who finishes in the bottom half could sneak into Europe.
Here’s how it all could play out - and what needs to happen for this unprecedented scenario to unfold.
How EPL Teams Normally Qualify for Europe
Under normal circumstances, seven EPL teams qualify for Europe:
- Champions League (4 spots): EPL teams that finish first to fourth
- Europa League (2 spots): fifth place in the league + FA Cup winners
- Conference League (1 spot): EFL Cup winners
But 2024/25 isn’t a “normal” season.
Thanks to UEFA’s new coefficient system - which rewards leagues whose clubs perform well in Europe - the EPL is on track to gain an extra Champions League spot, bumping the total up to five.
Add in the winners of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League - who qualify automatically - and things get wild fast.
How 11 English Teams Could Qualify for Europe
So, how can the EPL end up with 11 teams in UEFA competitions? Here’s the domino effect that would need to happen:
- City and Brighton - all qualify for the Champions League. Brighton would take the extra EPS (European Performance Spot) as fifth-place finishers.
- Aston Villa win the Champions League and finish outside the top five - they would qualify automatically as UCL winners.
- Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League and also finish outside the top five - another automatic UCL spot.
- Chelsea win the Conference League and finish outside of the top seven - they would go into the Europa League.
- Crystal Palace win the FA Cup and finish mid-table - that earns them a Europa League spot too.
- Newcastle, who already secured a Conference League place by winning the Carabao Cup, qualify for a higher competition (via league position), meaning their Conference League place gets passed down… all the way to 11th place in the Premier League, which is currently Brentford.
That’s how you end up with:
- Seven EPL teams in the Champions League
- Three in the Europa League
- One in the Conference League
A total of 11 EPL clubs in Europe.
While fans across Nigeria will be watching European nights with passion regardless, this wild 11 team scenario could have significance for some of the country’s top stars in the EPL. Nottingham Forest, home to Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi, look almost certain to secure a Champions League place, while Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi are part of a Fulham side firmly in the hunt for a European spot.
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