The Premier League is getting closer to securing an extra Champions League spot, thanks to recent developments in Belgium.
This season, the English top-flight has four teams in the Champions League. However, the race for the top four might expand to the top five. Belgian club Club Brugge recently beat Osasuna 4-3 in a UEFA Conference League play-off, benefiting English clubs.
Starting from the 2024/25 season, the Champions League will be expanded, adopting a league format. Four additional teams will be included, and two of these spots will be awarded based on the "country coefficient" chart each season.
England is well-positioned to secure one of these additional spots, thanks to the strong performances of clubs like Manchester City and West Ham in last season's European competitions.
The country coefficient considers performance in all three European club tournaments and assigns bonus points. The final figure is then divided by the number of clubs each nation has representing them in Europe. In six of the last seven seasons, England would have earned an extra spot, indicating a positive outlook.
Spain's chances are slim, leaving Italy and Germany to compete with England. This season's Champions League is the last under the traditional format, with a new league format starting next term.
Teams will play eight games against seeded opponents in the first phase. The top eight reach the knockout stages, and teams from ninth to twenty fourth will participate in a play-off to determine additional spots. Exciting changes await European club football.
