The Premier League will boast five representatives in the Champions League next season after it secured one of the extra places for club performance in the three European competitions.
Two leagues will gain from a European Performance Spot (EPS), the new award introduced in the last season as part of a rebranding of the Champions League to a 36 teams competition.England was well ahead at the top of the table for quite a long time throughout the season, and the bonus spot was effectively guaranteed after a litany of poor Italian club performances for the knockout playoff round and round of 16.
That left the Premier League needing just one win, or two draws, from the remaining fixtures and that was sealed on Tuesday when Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 3-0 at home.Fifth place in England will now be Champions League qualifying. Chelsea (53 points) are fourth with Newcastle United (53) fifth (and the Magpies have a crucial game in hand.) But a number of other teams are battling for the top five, including Manchester City (52), Aston Villa (51), Fulham (48) and Brighton & Hove Albion (47).
Premier League
The Premier League will have five teams in the Champions League next campaign after it won one of the extra spots based on club performance in the three European competitions.
Two leagues will be awarded a European Performance Spot (EPS), which was introduced last campaign as part of a revamp to expand the Champions League to 36 teams competition.
If Arsenal or Aston Villa beat the Champions League and qualify in the top four, there is no place to transfer into the Premier League; only the top five will qualify.
Spain which, like the Premier League, has five teams playing active European competitions will occupy the second spot but could yet be beaten by Italy.
It was Germany and Italy who profited last season, with Bologna and Borussia Dortmund both finishing in fifth place in their respective standings.
