The Premier League is seemingly at risk of losing an extra Champions League spot that has previously been perceived to be a foregone conclusion.
When the new format for European football's premier competition was announced, it became apparent that four extra spots would be made available.
Half of those places will be awarded to the best performing nations in the previous campaign, placing emphasis on nations being able to benefit if they enjoy collective success.
While the Premier League can claim to have more representatives in Europe than anyone else, the poor results of Manchester United and Newcastle United have weakened the effort to claim a fifth Champions League place.
Prior to the final matchday, Germany and Spain are in the top two spots, with Italy also ahead of England in the 2023-24 points listings.
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Although Manchester City and Arsenal have already won their respective groups, Man United and Newcastle are at risk of missing out on the last 16 and being eliminated from Europe altogether.
Man United must defeat Bayern Munich and hope that Copenhagen and Galatasaray play out a draw if they are to reach the Champions League knockout stages.
If United are to settle for a Europa League spot, they must avoid defeat versus Bayern and hope that Galatasaray defeat Copenhagen, who they would edge out to a superior head-to-head and either goals scored or goal difference.
Meanwhile, Newcastle must beat AC Milan and hope that Borussia Dortmund avoid defeat to Paris Saint-Germain if they are to progress to the next phase.
A draw would be enough for Newcastle to be demoted into the Europa League, but losing to AC Milan would bring an early end to their European campaign.
The Premier League are already guaranteed to have three teams progress in the Europa League through Liverpool, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United, while Aston Villa have secured a last-32 spot in the Europa Conference League as a bare minimum.
Darren Plant
