Manchester City and Arsenal could have a major say in the battle for Champions League and European qualification in the Premier League as they prepare for their quarter-final matches this evening (8pm kick-off).
Arsenal drew with Bayern Munich in their quarter-final first leg match while Man City were held by Real Madrid. The results could have a significant impact on whether it is England or Germany who get an extra Champions League place for next season.
A UEFA rule change will see the two leagues whose clubs perform the best overall in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League competitions in 2023-24 granted an extra Champions League spot for the 2024-25 campaign.
After Newcastle United and Manchester United both exited the Champions League at the group stage, it has been up to the likes of Arsenal and Man City to make amends and help England earn that extra place in next season’s competition.
An extra Champions League place will also see the Europa League and Europa Conference League places drop further down the league table. In the Premier League, this could mean a side finishing as low as eighth could qualify for Europe next season.
Newcastle currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, 10 points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth and 13 behind Aston Villa in fourth.
But England currently sit behind Italy and Germany in the 2023-24 UEFA country coefficients that will decide which two leagues get the extra spot. And with Borussia Dortmund progressing to the semi-final of the Champions League, wins for Arsenal and Man City could be vital in seeing England leapfrog Germany into second place.
West Ham’s 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool’s 3-0 loss against Atalanta put more pressure on the likes of Man City and Arsenal in the Champions League as well as Aston Villa in the Europa League.
Despite no Italian teams remaining in the Champions League, Serie A is almost certain to be granted an extra qualification place for next season with a current coefficient of 18.428. Italy have at least one side guaranteed to reach the semi-final of the Europa League as AC Milan face AS Roma in the quarter-final.
And with Atalanta’s first-leg win over Liverpool, two sides in the final four looks likely. Fiorentina are also in the latter stages of the Conference League.
English clubs have accumulated a total of 134.000 points this season which leaves a coefficient score of 16.750 when divided by the number of clubs competing. Germany currently have a coefficient score of 17.214 while Italy’s is 18.428.
Wins for both Manchester City and Arsenal would move England above Germany in the coefficient rankings with a score of at least 17.500.
Here is a breakdown of this season’s coefficient rankings of all Premier League clubs competing in Europe...
5. West Ham United - 19.000
The Hammers have picked up 19.000 points as a result of reaching the Europa League quarter-final. West Ham earned 14 points for winning their group with five wins and one defeat. They picked up a further three points for their last-16 success over Freiburg despite losing the first leg. They earned another point for playing Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-final but were beaten 2-0 in the first leg. David Moyes' side were minutes away from becoming the first side to beat Bayer this season but drew the second leg, earning another point despite being knocked out. | Getty Images
6. Brighton - 16.000
Brighton achieved a 16.000 coefficient score in their first season in Europe. 13 points were picked up after finishing top of their Europa League group with four wins and a draw. They picked up a further point for competing in the last-16 and another two points for beating AS Roma in the second leg despite being knocked out. Photo: Paolo Bruno
7. Newcastle United - 8.000
Newcastle United accumulated a UEFA coefficient score of 8.000 this season. Four for taking part in the Champions League group stage, two for beating Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 and a further two for their draws at PSG and AC Milan. | Getty Images
8. Manchester United - 7.000
Manchester United earned 7.000 coefficient points this season. Four for taking part in the Champions League group stage and a further three for winning once and drawing once. | AFP via Getty Images