EPL: Race For Europe Set For Dramatic Final Day
It’s two from three for Champions League places as the Premier League reaches its conclusion on Sunday.
Champions Manchester City have already secured a spot in the 2021-22 group stage along with Manchester United, who can finish no lower than second.
But just one point separates third-placed Chelsea and fifth-placed Leicester, who are below Liverpool on goal difference.
So what are the permutations? Which teams can still end up in the Europa League? And who will be playing in the Europa Conference League, Uefa’s new third-ranked competition?
Passports at the ready – who will make Champions League?
The top four in the Premier League qualify for the Champions League group stage, as well as the winners of the Champions League and Europa League – should they finish outside the first four places.
A maximum of five English teams can play in the Champions League.
With Champions League finalists City and Europa League finalists United already secure, only Chelsea beating City in the Champions League final and finishing fifth would see England’s five-team quota fulfilled.
However, Chelsea will be guaranteed third place and a Champions League spot if they beat Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday (16:00 BST).
Liverpool and Leicester go into the final day level on 66 points and separated by goal difference, with the Reds having the edge.
| Race for the top four – last-day fixtures | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHELSEA | LIVERPOOL | LEICESTER |
| Aston Villa (away) | Crystal Palace (home) | Tottenham (home) |
If Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Anfield, Leicester would have to beat Tottenham by a five-goal margin to finish fourth – assuming Chelsea don’t fail to win.
With 10 games remaining, Liverpool were eighth, 10 points behind Leicester.
“In the last eight or 10 games, I don’t know how many, we are back on track,” said Reds boss Jurgen Klopp after Wednesday’s 3-0 win at Burnley.
“If we win on Sunday then we are probably qualified for the Champions League. It’s insane that we came this close but we are not through yet.
“When you win the semi-final you go to a final and that’s where we are. We will give our absolute everything.”