Most Premier League teams now have just one game to go before they jet off on their summer breaks, ready to do it all again next season. However, despite Manchester City being champions for the fifth time in six seasons and Southampton getting relegated - there is still a fair amount to be decided, particularly when it comes to the European places.
We’ve set the record straight on a few questions, including what happens if West Ham United win the Europa Conference League.
What is happening with the top four?
Easy one this. It is pretty much done and dusted. Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Manchester United will be playing Champions League football next season, barring a chaotic collapse from the Red Devils.
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It doesn’t matter if Man City win or lose the Champions League final, or who wins the FA Cup. Those will be the four teams in Europe’s premier competition next term.
England’s Champions League teams 2023/24:
Manchester City
Arsenal
Newcastle United
Manchester United
How about the Europa League spots?
Liverpool are now almost certain to finish fifth which means they will play in the Europa League next season. Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove Albion celebrated after securing European football next term for the first time in their history. Their win over Southampton looks like it has put them into the Europa League with two games to play although it is not mathematically certain yet.
They face Man City and Aston Villa in their final two fixtures, and Villa need a goal swing of 16 to leapfrog them with a win on the final day. It simply isn’t going to happen, especially given City now have no reason to stretch themselves in the league having won their third successive crown.
There is one additional factor here however. If West Ham United, currently 14th in the Premier League, can beat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final, they will be in the Europa League next season.
Don’t worry Brighton, because top four duo Manchester United or City will win the FA Cup, this is an additional spot and does not take away from the Premier League team that finishes 6th.
England’s Europa League teams 2023/24:
Liverpool
Brighton and Hove Albion
West Ham United*
*If they win the final
Who qualifies for the Europa Conference League?
Given Manchester United have already won the EFL Cup, the team that finishes 7th in the Premier League year will qualify for the Conference League. Aston Villa are currently in pole position in 7th but face Brighton on the final day, Spurs are a point behind and face relegation threatened Leeds United, while Brentford are two points adrift of Villa and have to play Man City at home.
If Villa win, European football will return to Villa Park. If they lose or draw to Brighton, they open the door for the other contenders. Spurs will be desperate to finish on a high but come up against Sam Allardyce’s side that need to win to have a chance of staying up, while Brentford will hope to stun Man City and finish with a flourish.
This may not be a normal race for European football, but it should add a level of intrigue to the final day.
Key fixtures:
Aston Villa (7th) v Brighton (6th)
Leeds United (18th) v Tottenham Hotspur (8th)
Brentford (9th) v Manchester City (1st)
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