Now ‘virtually impossible’ for the Premier League not to get Champions League extra fifth place | OneFootball

A very interesting update on the chances of the Premier League getting a bonus Champions League fifth place next season.

As we all know, the two domestic leagues in European competitions this season whose clubs have the collective best average coefficient scores get an extra place in the next season’s Champions League.

The coefficient points gained by all clubs this season are added together and that total score is divided by the number of clubs a country has in Europe in the season. That gives the coefficient average.

Whilst Liverpool lost to PSG on Tuesday, Wednesday night saw both Villa and Arsenal reach the last eight of the Champions League. Villa winning against ten men Brugge, Arsenal drawing with PSV.

Then on Thursday night, wins for Man U, Spurs and Chelsea in the Europa League and Conference. All three English clubs progressing into the quarter-finals.

ESPN report on current position after Thursday night’s games, including the three English clubs progressing to the quarter-finals. Which countries in best position to get one of the two bonus places in the 2025/26 Champions League competition:

How does the average coefficient table look now for each country (in brackets how many teams remain for each league, so for England it is five out of seven)?

1. England, 24.250 – (5/7) 2. Spain, 21.678 – (4/7) 3. Italy, 19.937 – (3/8) 4. Germany, 17.921 – (3/8) 5. Portugal, 16.250 – (0/5) 6. France, 16.214 – (2/7)

This is how ESPN describe the situation now on Friday 14 March 2025 after the completion of this week’s European matches:

‘It’s virtually impossible for the Premier League not to get an extra place from here.

The Premier League is in a place of incredible strength even though Manchester City and Liverpool are out of the UCL.

Arsenal, however, have to face Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, while Aston Villa take on PSG — and they are on the path to a potential semi-final

However, Man United (vs. Lyon) and Tottenham (vs. Eintracht Frankfurt) are paired in the Europa League, which means they cannot face each other until the final — thus no prospect of knocking each other out.

In the UCoL, Chelsea will play Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals.’

So, can Newcastle United qualify for the Champions League this season?

This is how the Premier League table currently looks on Friday (14 March 2025) morning:

Eddie Howe’s side currently finding themselves level on points with Man City who are in fifth place.

That was a huge win at West Ham on Monday, as it has put NUFC in a great position. Especially with the next four matches seeing United play Brentford (Home), Leicester (Away), Man U (Home) and Palace (Home).

A Champions League qualifying route remains very much open to Newcastle United as things stand.

I would say that if the Premier League gets that extra fifth spot in next season’s competition, then it gives Newcastle United a four or five times greater chance, if having to finish top five rather than top four.

The remaining Newcastle United match schedule:

Sunday 16 March – Newcastle v Liverpool (4.30pm) Carabao Cup final Sky Sports

Wednesday 2 April – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm)

Monday 7 April – Leicester v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 13 April – Newcastle v Man U (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 16 April – Newcastle v Palace (7.30pm)

Saturday 19 April – Villa v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 26 April – Newcastle v Ipswich (3pm)

Saturday 3 May – Brighton v Newcastle TBC

Saturday 10 May – Newcastle v Chelsea TBC