Article body analysed

The Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League for the second successive season The Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League next season after securing a European Performance Spot for the second straight year. The extra place was confirmed on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. Uefa awards an additional place to the two leagues with the best overall performance across the three European competitions. The Premier League has been way out in front in the EPS table for most of the season, with all nine clubs reaching the last 16. Although only five clubs made it through to the quarter-finals, coefficient points gained throughout the league phase had put England in a very strong position. Fifth spot in the Premier League this season is now guaranteed to play in the Champions League, after Newcastle United benefited in the 2024-25 campaign. Spain look like the firm favourite to take second place, ahead of Germany and Portugal. However, the Bundesliga could yet make a late challenge after Bayern Munich won 2-1 at Real Madrid on Tuesday. Freiburg also face Celta Vigo in the Europa League. If the places do go to the Premier League and La Liga, it will be the same top two as last season. The race for fifth place in the Premier League, currently held by Liverpool on 49 points, is exceptionally tight. Just seven points separate Arne Slot's side from 13th-placed Bournemouth. Chelsea (48) sit in sixth followed by Brentford (46), Everton (46), Fulham (44), Brighton (43), Sunderland (43), Newcastle (42) and Bournemouth (42). If Aston Villa, who are fourth on 54 points, win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, the Premier League would have six teams in the Champions League. The same logic applies to Liverpool, who face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday. If either win a European trophy and finish fifth, then sixth would qualify for the Champions League via the EPS place. If both win European trophies and finish fifth and sixth, that would put seventh into the Champions League. Nottingham Forest are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They could emulate Tottenham by winning the competition and finishing in the bottom half of the table. Just like last season, that would create a sixth team in the Champions League for the Premier League too. Get news, insight and fan views on your Premier League team All your football quizzes in one place Premier League index Premier League table Premier League fixtures Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Is 'free' Mc Ilroy ready to create more Masters history? Kane and Diaz give Bayern deserved edge against Real Havertz nets stoppage-time winner for Arsenal at Sporting Conor and Jock are reunited for more craic-filled comedy A woman's quest to uncover the mystery of her early life Dom Chinea revisits makers who turned their passions into profits The memorable day when the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened Why Liverpool ticket price protests matter to rival fans Szubarczyk, 15, breaks World Championship record Why Honda engine is not the only issue with Aston Martin - F1 Q&A Coventry edge ever closer - but who will join them in Premier League? 54 years, 48 leagues, 2, 000 grounds - the ultimate football odyssey Quiz: Name every European winner of the Masters Ranking football's greatest one-club men Leeds beat West Ham on penalties in thriller to reach FA Cup semis. Video Leeds beat West Ham on penalties in thriller to reach FA Cup semis Wilder beats Chisora in thrilling split decision bout. Video Wilder beats Chisora in thrilling split decision bout Is the Championship heading for financial 'catastrophe'? 'A messed-up situation' - world champion Dubois on family rift Liverpool's FA Cup capitulation ramps up pressure on Slot The thorny issues facing F1 over racing, qualifying and safety What De Zerbi needs to do to turn Tottenham around What were the biggest moves of NFL free agency? Mary Rand - the trailblazing Olympic champion Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.