Premier League at risk of 'losing' Champions League spot in potential blow for Man Utd

The Premier League is currently at risk of losing out on an additional qualification spot for next season's Champions League, new data has revealed.

Alongside the debut of a new-look Champions League next term - which sees all the teams compete in a singular league phase - UEFA announced that the number of teams will increase from 32 to 36.

Two of those extra places will be awarded to the third-placed team in the league ranked fifth in the UEFA co-efficient ratings - which is based on a nation's performance in European competition - and the qualifying path for champions.

The other two places, meanwhile, will be given to the two nations that top UEFA's co-efficient rankings - which is judged on the most recent season of European competition.

As a result, clubs from top nations are effectively competing not just to reach the latter stages of European competition this season, but to ensure an extra safety net to qualify for next season's competition if their league performances are not quite up to scratch.

England, Italy and Germany are among the main contenders to earn that final spot via their UEFA co-efficient rankings.

But England have been dealt damaging blows by both Manchester United and Newcastle, who were both knocked out of the Champions League group stage.

And according to new data below, that could have a major knock-on effect on England's chances of earning the all-important additional spot.

Tight… but… pic.twitter.com/2J5Gxn8srh

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) February 20, 2024

England are just 0.53 points behind second-placed Germany in the standings, with Italy leading the way.

However, they have six teams still in active competition - Germany also have six, while Italy have seven - meaning there could be plenty of twists and turns between now and the end of the season.

Lengthy Champions League runs for Manchester City and Arsenal will help their cause, while Liverpool are one of the favourites to win the Europa League despite their growing injury list.

It is slightly ironic, though, that all three clubs are set to qualify for the Champions League via league position anyway, meaning it could end up being Aston Villa, who currently occupy fourth position, that book their own place at Europe's top table by reaching the final stages of the Europa Conference League this season.

United, meanwhile, are five points behind them in sixth, and will now have to rely on other teams to reach the Champions League if they end the season in fifth.