This weekend’s FA Cup final clash between Chelsea and Manchester City will have plenty of eyes on it, as it could have an effect on the European places in the Premier League.
The 2025/26 Premier League season is reaching a frantic conclusion. Arsenal lead the table with 79 points, narrowly ahead of Manchester City (77), both having secured Champions League football alongside Manchester United.
Liverpool and Aston Villa currently occupy fourth and fifth, well-positioned for the remaining Champions League berths, especially with England to gain a fifth spot through UEFA’s coefficient.
Bournemouth sits sixth, leading a crowded pack including Brighton and Brentford for Europa League qualification. Meanwhile, the Conference League spot is currently held by Brighton in seventh, but its destination depends heavily on the FA Cup final.
Chelsea remains in ninth place with 49 points, trailing sixth by six points with only two games remaining.
Chelsea fans, which ONE are you picking?👀
Let us hear your reasons!
Relegate Tottenham or win the FA Cup for Chelsea?
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How do the FA Cup winners affect Europe in the Premier League?
If Manchester City defeats Chelsea, the European places slide down, meaning seventh would take a Europa League spot and eighth place, currently held by Brentford, would receive the Conference League berth.
While Chelsea’s Premier League route to Europe is statistically slim, they have a chance to get in via the back door in the FA Cup final. A victory there guarantees them Europa League football, whereas a loss could leave them hoping to snatch eighth place for a potential Conference League entry.
Does Pep Guardiola have a point?🤔
Pep Guardiola complaint ahead of FA Cup final
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Aston Villa can change things with a Europa League final win
If Aston Villa wins the Europa League and finishes fifth in the Premier League while Manchester City claims the FA Cup, the Premier League would likely send eight teams into European competition.
Under current UEFA rules, Villa would enter the Champions League as titleholders, allowing their league-earned European Performance Spot to be passed down to the sixth-placed team. Consequently, the top six sides would all enter the Champions League.
Because Manchester City already holds a Champions League berth, their FA Cup Europa League spot would drop to seventh place, while the Conference League berth would shift to eighth.
For Chelsea, currently sitting in ninth, this means finishing their league campaign in their current position would not be enough for Europe.
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