The English clubs have once again excelled in Europe this season and there’s a very real possibility that we will have two all-Premier League finals later this month.
Chelsea have joined Manchester City in the showpiece match of the Champions League and now Arsenal and Manchester United are looking to make it into the Europa League final.
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While it’s been another stellar year for Premier League teams, it does bring with it headaches and potential heartbreak when it comes to qualifying for Europe next season.
Leicester and West Ham have been battling hard this term to claim a top four finish but even that might not be enough to see them play at top table of European football next season.
Top four permutations
Manchester City look nailed on for Premier League glory this season so will be in next season’s Champions League while Manchester United, in second place, look good for it too.
Supposing those two are already confirmed, it gets more complicated for the final two spots.
A maximum of five Premier League teams can compete in next season’s Champions League.
After 34 top-flight games this season, Leicester are third on 63 points, Chelsea are fourth on 61 and West Ham are fifth on 58.
Here’s what could happen…
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Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues will qualify for the Champions League next season if they beat Man City on May 29 or finish anywhere in the top four.
If Man City go on to win the Champions League, England would not receive an extra qualification space meaning just the top four will make it plus Arsenal if they win the Europa League.
Arsenal
While it’s been an underwhelming campaign for the Gunners to say the least, they can still salvage it.
Mikel Arteta’s men are currently ninth in the table but winning the Europa League would see them back in the Champions League next term.
They’ll first need a big performance to overturn their semi-final tie against Villarreal having lost the away leg 2-1.
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West Ham
Now things get more complicated.
Should Chelsea and Arsenal both claim glory in Europe and West Ham edge out their rivals to finish fourth in the league, the Hammers would miss out on next season’s Champions League.
However, David Moyes’ side could yet finish third and that would secure elite European football.
Leicester
The Foxes have enjoyed another brilliant campaign but it could end in heartbreak.
Brendan Rodgers and co would miss out on the Champions League if they finish fourth behind West Ham and both Chelsea and Arsenal win their European finals.
Currently third in the table, there are games against Man United, Chelsea and Tottenham to come, though there is also the FA Cup final – on 15 May against Chelsea – to look forward to.
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