The Premier League have once again secured a European Performance Spot (EPS), ensuring at least five teams from the league will participate in the next season's Champions League. This achievement comes as a result of an impressive overall performance by English clubs across all three European competitions.
The confirmation of the extra spot came on Tuesday when Arsenal triumphed over Sporting with a 1-0 victory in their Champions League quarter-final tie. The UEFA awards an additional place to the two leagues that have shown outstanding performance across all three European competitions, and for most of this season, the Premier League has been leading in the EPS table.
All nine clubs from England reached the last 16, and although only five made it through to quarter-finals, coefficient points gained throughout the league phase had already put England in a strong position.
Fifth spot now guarantees Champions League
This development means that whoever finishes fifth in this season's Premier League is guaranteed to play in next year’s Champions League. This follows Newcastle United who benefited from this arrangement during 2024-25 campaign. Spain appears set to secure second place ahead of Germany and Portugal. However, Bundesliga could still pose a late challenge after Bayern Munich’s recent win against Real Madrid. If both places go to Premier League and La Liga respectively, it would be a repeat of last year’s top two leagues.
Currently held by Liverpool with 49 points, there is an intense competition for fifth place within seven points separating Arne Slot's side from Bournemouth who are placed thirteenth. Chelsea trails closely behind Liverpool with 48 points followed by Brentford (46), Everton (46), Fulham (44), Brighton (43), Sunderland (43), Newcastle (42) and Bournemouth(42).
In an interesting twist, if Aston Villa, currently fourth in Premier League table with 54 points, wins the Europa League and finishes outside the top four, it would mean six teams from the Premier League in next season's Champions League. The same logic applies to Liverpool who are set to face Paris St-Germain in their first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
If either team wins a European trophy and finishes fifth or sixth respectively, then seventh place would qualify for the Champions League via EPS. Nottingham Forest is also in contention as they are in the quarter-finals of Europa league. If they win this competition while finishing in bottom half of table just like Tottenham did last season, it would create a sixth team from Premier league for next year’s Champion’s league.
