With just one match left in the Premier League this year, all of the Champions League places have been secured for England’s top four teams. However, the difference between finishing third and fourth has historically meant more than just a place on the table. In the past, the team finishing fourth has had to play a qualifying round to secure a spot in the Champions League group stage.
Clinching a top four spot in the Champions League is considered the holy grail, with each team securing a place in the group stage. This is also the case for La Liga, the Bundesliga, and Serie A after Europe’s top four leagues negotiated sixteen automatic places in Europe’s elite club competition in 2017.
Liverpool was the last Premier League team to finish fourth and not go straight into the group stages, having needed to beat Hoffenheim in a play-off tie in 2017. However, now even finishing fourth in the Premier League guarantees a place in the Champions League group stages.
It’s worth noting that Premier League teams can also qualify for the Champions League by winning European competitions. For example, a team that wins the Europa League can qualify for the Champions League, despite finishing outside the top four. Manchester United did this in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
So while all of England’s top four teams have secured their spots in the Champions League for next season, there is still plenty of excitement and anticipation surrounding the final match of the season. Manchester United will take on Fulham on the final day of the season, with fans eagerly watching to see if they can secure third place or if they will have to settle for fourth.