Thanks to a Champions League rule change that came into force this season, it won’t matter if Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – who are all battling for the top four –finish third or fourth.
Aside from Manchester City and Liverpool who are clear at the top, all four English teams are now been given a direct route into the Champions League group stages.
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UEFA have now changed the rules – and scrapped the playoff games for clubs from the bigger leagues.
Thus, clubs from Italy, Spain and Germany, as well as the current holders of the Champions League and the Europa League, all benefit.
Also, two more teams from the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga will also qualify directly for the Europa League group stages including two from France.
Therefore, from next season, the top six will all be guaranteed a place in both European competition's group stage and will not have to play a two-legged qualifier.
There was also a revelation that more teams will be directly qualifying for the group stages, with 26 in total compared to 22 from this season.
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Now, only six teams will gain entry via the qualifying round opposed to 10 this term, but this format will still remain a mini knockout tournament.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
