Which League will get the fifth UEFA Champions League spot for 2024/25?
Rewarding Extra Places in the Champions League: A Race Based on European Performance
As the knockout stages of the Champions League (UCL), Europa League (UEL), and Europa Conference League (UECL) progress to the quarterfinals, the competition among leagues intensifies for the two extra places in the revamped 36-team Champions League.
This article updates the race for the 5th Champions League spot for the 2024/25 season.
How It Works:
The allocation of extra places is determined by the best average coefficient of all teams representing each country in European competitions. Points are awarded as follows:
- Each win: 2 coefficient points
- Each draw: 1 coefficient point
- No points for a defeat
- Extra time scores (after 120 minutes) are considered if a match goes beyond regular time; penalties are not counted.
- Bonus points are awarded for reaching specific stages in the tournaments:
Champions League Bonus Points
- 4 points: Group stage participation
- 5 points: Round of 16
- 1 point: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Final
Europa League Bonus Points
- 4 points: Group winners
- 2 points: Group runners-up
- 1 point: Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Final
Europa Conference League Bonus Points:
- 2 points: Group winners
- 1 point: Group runners-up, Semifinals, Final
The total points earned by all clubs representing a country are summed up, and this total score is divided by the number of clubs from that country participating in European competitions in the season. This calculation yields the coefficient average.
Example Calculation:
Suppose a country accumulates 45 coefficient points with 9 teams in Europe.
Total coefficient points: 45 Number of teams: 9
The coefficient average is calculated as:
Coefficient Average = Total Coefficient Points / Number of Teams = 45 / 9 = 5.00
So, in this case, the coefficient average for the country would be 5.00.
Top of Form
State of Play for European Leagues
- Italy (Serie-A)- Coefficient: 17.714
- Through to Quarterfinals: Atalanta, AC Milan, AS Roma (UEL), Fiorentina (UECL)
- Knocked Out: Inter-Milan, Lazio, Napoli
- Italian teams face challenging matchups in the quarterfinals, potentially impacting their coefficient score. The possibility of an all-Italian clash in the UEL reduces the maximum coefficient. However, England vs. Germany matches assure Italy’s position in the top two.
- Maximum Possible Coefficient: 22.571
- England (Premier League)- Coefficient: 16.500
- Through to Quarterfinals: Arsenal, Manchester City (UCL), West Ham United, Liverpool, Aston Villa (UECL)
- Knocked Out: Manchester United, Newcastle United (UCL), Brighton & Hove Albion (UEL)
- England has a strong presence in European competitions with five teams still in contention. However, the outcome of crucial matches against German sides could impact their maximum coefficient score, particularly if Arsenal and Man City face off in the UCL semifinals.
- Maximum Possible Coefficient: 22.375
- Germany (Bundesliga)- Coefficient: 16.500
- Through to Quarterfinals: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund (UCL), Bayer Leverkusen (UEL)
- Knocked Out: RB Leipzig, Union Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt, SC Freiburg
- Germany remains competitive with three teams in the European quarterfinals. Success in key matchups against English opponents will be crucial for their chances of finishing in the top two.
- Maximum Possible Coefficient: 21.072
- France (Ligue-1)- Coefficient: 14.750
- Through to Quarterfinals: Paris Saint-Germain (UCL), Marseille (UEL), Lille (UECL)
- Knocked Out: Lens, Stade Rennais, Toulouse
- France has three teams remaining in European competitions. However, their chances of reaching the top two are lower compared to other leagues.
- Maximum Possible Coefficient: 20.750
- Spain (La Liga)- Coefficient: 14.562
- Through to Quarterfinals: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid (UCL)
- Knocked Out: Villarreal (UEL), Osasuna (UECL), Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Real Betis
- Spain faces a challenging situation with only three teams remaining in the Champions League. Their chances of competing for the top two positions are diminished, particularly after Osasuna fails in UECL qualifying.
- Maximum Possible Coefficient: 17.687
Allocation of Extra European Spots
If the extra spot goes to the Premier League:
- Champions League: 1st to 5th in the Premier League
- Europa League: 6th in the Premier League, FA Cup winners
- Europa Conference League: Carabao Cup winners
Note: If the FA Cup winners finish in the top 6, European places could extend to 7th and 8th in the league table.
If LaLiga, Bundesliga, or Serie A gets the extra spot:
- Champions League: 1st to 5th in the respective league
- Europa League: 6th in the league, Cup winners
- Europa Conference League: 7th in the league
If a team wins the UEFA Europa League but doesn’t qualify for the UEFA Champions League domestically
- The league could have six places in the UEFA Champions League, including the five regular spots plus the UEFA Europa League titleholders as an additional entry.
Current Winners:
- Premier League: Borussia Dortmund (5th in Bundesliga)
- Serie A: Roma (5th in Serie A)
These teams currently stand to benefit from the potential allocation of extra European spots, depending on which league receives the additional place.
When will the allocation of the extra Champions League spots be revealed?
Top of Form
The allocation of the fifth Champions League spot will be revealed at the conclusion of the current season’s UEFA club competitions. Once all matches are played and points are tallied, UEFA will announce which country earns the coveted spot for the following season.
Read More: Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid Semi-Final Leg 1, UCL Match Preview, Prediction
