How the EPL Could See 11 Teams in Europe Next Season
The international break is over and club football returns again, before focus shifts to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June. All eyes will be on the ongoing EPL season as things are spicing up there.
The Premier League title race may be nearly done. But the fight for European spots is wide open.
As many as 13 teams are still in the race. And in a rare scenario, up to 11 Premier League clubs could qualify for Europe next season.
That possibility comes from a mix of new UEFA formats, strong English performances in Europe and a tightly packed Premier League table.
An EPL Season Like No Other
The gap between teams tells the story.
Just 7 points separate Liverpool in fifth and Bournemouth in 13th. It is the smallest gap between those positions at this stage since the 1992-93 season, when only 4 points separated 5th and 13th placed teams.
Even tighter, just 4 points separate 7th and 13th, the second-smallest gap in league history at this stage.
That means mid-table is no longer safe. Every point matters.
How So Many EPL Teams Can Qualify
European football has expanded.
The Champions League and Europa League now have league phases. The Conference League adds a third route.
This season, 9 English teams are already playing in Europe:
- 6 in the Champions League
- 2 in the Europa League
- 1 in the Conference League
And next season could see even more.
Champions League
England is almost certain to earn an extra Champions League spot. This depends on UEFA rankings and English clubs are performing well again.
5 of 9 English teams are still active in Europe:
- Arsenal and Liverpool (Champions League)
- Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa (Europa League)
- Crystal Palace (Conference League)
That means 5 Premier League teams will likely qualify for the Champions League.
But it could go even further.
If Liverpool and Aston Villa win their European competitions and finish outside the top five, both will qualify automatically.
That would push the total to 7 English teams in the Champions League. Nottingham Forest could also qualify if they win the Europa League.
Europa League
At least 2 Premier League teams will enter the Europa League:
- The team finishing 6th in EPL
- The FA Cup winners
But things can shift.
If a top-six team wins the FA Cup, that Europa League place goes to the next highest team in the table.
This is where different scenarios open up:
- If no extra European winners finish outside the top five, 7th place qualifies
- If one team (Liverpool or Villa) wins Europe and finishes outside top five, 8th place qualifies
- And, if both do, 8th and 9th place qualify
If Crystal Palace win the Conference League and finish outside the top six, they will also enter the Europa League.
Conference League
The Conference League adds another layer.
Manchester City earned a spot by winning the League Cup. But if they finish in the top six, that spot passes down.
Depending on other results, teams finishing 8th, 9th or even 10th could qualify for the Conference League.
Can 11 EPL Teams Really Qualify for Europe?
Yes, but it needs a perfect storm.
This would require:
- Liverpool winning the Champions League and finishing outside the top five
- Aston Villa winning the Europa League and finishing outside the top five
- Crystal Palace winning the Conference League and finishing outside the top six
If all that happens, England would have:
- 7 teams in the Champions League
- 3 teams in the Europa League
- 1 team in the Conference League
That makes 11 Premier League clubs in Europe.
It is possible, but very unlikely.
What Will be a Realistic Outcome?
A more realistic scenario looks simpler.
- 5 teams qualify for the Champions League
- The FA Cup winner comes from the top six
- The Europa League spot goes to 7th place
That means the top 8 teams in the Premier League could qualify for Europe.
Which EPL Teams are in the Race?
Several clubs are still fighting for those spots.
Brighton look the most likely to break into the top eight. Brentford are pushing strongly for seventh.
Everton have a real chance. Fulham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Bournemouth are still in the mix. Crystal Palace could qualify through the league. But their best chance remains winning the Conference League.
This is one of the tightest European races in recent Premier League history.
With just a few points separating half the table, every result will shape the final standings. Make your football predictions here.
The title may be decided. But the race for Europe is far from over.
And if results align in the right way, the Premier League could send a record 11 teams to Europe.