How Chelsea or Liverpool could miss out on Champions League even if they finish fourth in Premier League

THIS year’s race to finish in the Premier League top four is starting to hot up. Manchester City might have pulled away at the top of the table, but there’s a real battle on below them to qualify for the Champions League. Could Chelsea or Liverpool miss out on Champions League if they finish fourth? […]

THIS year’s race to finish in the Premier League top four is starting to hot up.

Manchester City might have pulled away at the top of the table, but there’s a real battle on below them to qualify for the Champions League.

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Getty Images - Getty

Spurs are one of the favourites for this season’s Europa League[/caption]

Could Chelsea or Liverpool miss out on Champions League if they finish fourth?

Since 2018, any side that has finished in the Premier League top four qualifies automatically for the Champions League.

So far, so simple.

But this year a specific set of circumstances could see one unlucky side miss out on a place in the tournament, even if they end up in fourth position.

Uefa rules state that a maximum of FIVE teams from one country can play in the Champions League.

And if you win the tournament, you automatically qualify for the next to defend your crown.

Reuters

Liverpool could miss out on the Champions League next season – even if they finish fourth[/caption]

Whereas if you win the Europa League, you’re rewarded with a place in the Champions League for the following season.

English teams are enjoying a fruitful season in both the EL and CL, meaning the possibility of two Premier League winners is still on.

If two Prem sides do lift the trophies this season – and both finish OUTSIDE the top four in back home – they will take their place regardless in the Champions League 2021/22.

In this albeit unlikely scenario, the side finishing fourth in the table would have to go into the Europa League, not the Champions League.

For example, here’s how Chelsea could miss out on the CL if they finish fourth –

• Tottenham win the Europa League, but finish fifth in PL.
• Liverpool win the Champions League, only finish sixth in PL.
• Premier League top-three head into the Champions League, along with Spurs and Liverpool as European winners.
• Chelsea finish fourth in PL, but must now head into Europa League as five slots already filled.

Champions League last-16 draw

• RB Leipzig vs Liverpool
• Barcelona vs PSG
• Porto vs Juventus
• Sevilla vs Dortmund
• Lazio vs Bayern Munich
• Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea
• Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City
• Atalanta vs Real Madrid