General view inside the stadium as players of Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund enter the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Borussia Dortmund at St. James Park.
Newcastle United are aiming to return to the Champions League next season
The race for Champions League football next year is on, with teams having just four Premier League matches remaining.
Newcastle United were given a boost to their hopes of qualifying for the competition again last night as rivals Nottingham Forest blew the chance to overtake them into third position. The Reds fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Brentford, which leaves them in sixth place and two points behind the Magpies in third.
As well as Forest, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea were all in action on Thursday night. All three were in European action in two different competitions, with those games potentially impacting the qualifications for European football at the end of the season.
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What is the latest?
Up to 11 Premier League teams could be playing European football next season if things work out. Finishing in the top five positions in the Premier League will guarantee Champions League qualification, which will be Newcastle’s aim.
The qualifying places have increased from four this year due to England’s performance in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which is good news for those chasing a Champions League place.
As many as seven teams could potentially qualify for the competition. That does however seem unlikely, with Arsenal having to win the Champions League and lose their seven point gap to fall outside of the top five places in the Premier League.
The Gunners trail their semi-final against PSG 1-0. They know to get to the final they will have to win by two clear goals in Paris, or win by one goal and beat their opponents on penalties.
Much more likely is either United or Tottenham winning the Europa League, which would then earn them a place in the Champions League next season. Both have taken an advantage into the second legs of their semi-final, Spurs have a 3-1 lead over Bodo/Glimt, while United came out as 3-0 away winners over Athletic Club.
What happenes if Man United or Tottenham win Europe League?
If both teams make it to the final, then the Premier League are guaranteed at least six teams in the Champions League next season.
Looking at the Europa League, up to three could compete in the competition next season. Both the club that finishes sixth and the FA Cup winners will qualify.
Man City play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final later this month. If Pep Guardiola’s side come out as winners, then the Europa League place goes to the team that finishes in seventh place in the Premier League. Chelsea could also book a place in the competition if they win the UEFA Conference League and fall out of the qualification places.
The Blues came out as 4-1 winners over Djurgarden in the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday night.
What about Newcastle?
Newcastle are currently guaranteed a place at least in the UEFA Conference League through their Carabao Cup win earlier this season. However, with it looking likely that Eddie Howe’s men will qualify for either the Champions League or the Europa League through their league position, that place will instead go to the next best finishers in the league, which realistically could be the team in 10th position.