How Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton can get into the Champions League this season
The Premier League could boast six clubs in the Champions League for the second season running if all the right pieces are in place.
It is the second year in a row that the Premier League has gained ground, with the English top flight in the European Performance Standings (EPS) after its clubs reached the finals of all three European competitions.
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Last term saw an unprecedented six clubs in England qualify for the Champions League; five for their league place, with Tottenham gaining a place in the league stage after winning the Europa League.
The same thing may happen again this year, as the Premier League will be seen as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the expansion of the competition to 36 teams that started in 2024/25.
Here’s what needs to happen
Why six Premier League teams can qualify for the Champions League
As with every season, the top four clubs in the Premier League table are guaranteed a place in the 2026/27 edition – but just like last year, England have secured another place.
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But the winner of the Europa League is also awarded a place in the Champions League – and Aston Villa are through to the final to play Freiberg in Istanbul on Wednesday 20 May.
Villa are currently fifth in the Premier League, six points ahead of sixth-placed Bournemouth. As it stands, they are looking for a chance to qualify for the Champions League anyway.
Villa can still finish in fourth place, as they are level on points with Liverpool. If Villa win the Europa League and finish in the top four, the Premier League will remain with five teams in the Champions League.
But if Villa won the Europa League and finished in fifth place an additional place in the Champions League awarded by EPS will be down to the team that finished in sixth place in the Premier League.
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This is of interest to several Premier League teams, with the sixth race being the most competitive of the season. There are just four points separating sixth-placed Brighton from 11th-placed Fulham.
Bournemouth could be in the Champions League next season (Reuters)
The race for sixth place in the Premier League…
5) Aston Villa | Parts: 58, GD: +4
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6) Bournemouth | Components: 52, GD: +3
7th) Brentford | Components: 51, GD: +6
8th) Brighton | Components: 50, GD: +7
9th) Chelsea | Components: 48, GD: +6
10th) Everton | Parts: 48, GD: 0
11th) Fulham | Parts: 48, GD: -5
Remaining buildings
Bournemouth: Fulham (a), Man City (h), Nottingham Forest (a)
Brentford: Man City (a), Crystal Palace (h), Liverpool (a)
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Brighton: Wolves (h), Leeds (a), Manchester United (h)
Chelsea: Liverpool (a), Tottenham (h), Sunderland (a)
Everton: Crystal Palace (a), Sunderland (h), Tottenham (a)
Fulham: Bournemouth (h), Wolves (a), Newcastle (h)
Why Brentford might need to lose on the final day
If Brentford go into their final day trip to Liverpool in 6th place, they could be in a must-lose situation to qualify for the Champions League.
The team that finishes the season in 6th place will only be able to enter the Champions League if Aston Villa wins the Europa League and finishes in 5th place.
Liverpool, in 4th place, will need to finish above Aston Villa, while Brentford can ensure that happens with defeat at Anfield.
It is unlikely to play out this way, but Brentford beating Liverpool on the final day could see Aston Villa finish above the Reds.
