Extra Champions League qualification spot explained as Man Utd and Liverpool get horror scenario
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Daily Mirror IconSportFootballChampions LeagueNeed to knowSix Premier League teams are competing in the Champions League this season but there could well be fewer representatives in next season's editionLiverpool's name being drawn out in the Champions League round of 16 draw(Image: Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)Here is everything you need to know about the route to a fifth Champions League qualification spot for Premier League teams:The rules: UEFA now awards two extra Champions League places each season to the nations whose clubs performed best in Europe during the previous year. Every win and draw for a Premier League club in Europe helps the entire league reach the goal of a fifth spot, with results in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League all contributing, while there are bonus points for progressing through to the latter stages.How it gets calculated: Total points earned by all participating clubs from a country are divided by the number of teams that country sent to Europe.
This ensures that the league with the most teams isn't unfairly advantaged over a league with fewer, high-performing representatives.Who gets the extra spot: For the Premier League to get that fifth spot, England must finish in the top two of the seasonal coefficient rankings. However, a lot can still change between now and the end of the season.Nightmare scenario: Six Premier League teams have reached the last 16 of the Champions League but a number of them have been handed tough draws.
In rare cases, a country could even have six or seven teams if English clubs win the Champions League and/or Europa League while finishing lower than fifth domestically. These trophy-winner spots are separate from the performance spots, and Spurs' Europa League win last season earned England its sixth spot.READ MORE ABOUT THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Champions League last-16 draw in full as Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City discover opponentsSky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.