As the Premier League season nears its conclusion there is only really one race still going. With Liverpool set to lift the trophy and Ipswich and Leicesterfollowing Southampton back into the Championship, it’s all about the race for European qualification places.

We are very used to hearing chat about the top four, with the allure of the Champions League the goal for many clubs. But this season, it is actually the top five that will provide a ticket to Europe’s best club competition in 2025/26.

That is due to the strong performances of English clubs across UEFA’s competitions this season which have lifted the Premier League’s coefficient ranking to secure one of the European Performance Spots (EPS). The fifth automatic Champions League place was confirmed after Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid last week.

That is where the simple bit ends, unfortunately, with a LOT of different permutations to consider elsewhere. What we do know is that there will be between eight and 11 English teams in Europe next season.

While there will be a minimum of five English clubs in the Champions League next season, there could even be seven. For that to happen, Arsenal or Aston Villa would have to win this season’s Champions League and finish outside the top four in the Premier League and Manchester United or Tottenham would have to win the Europa League.