The Premier League table has several exciting battles that will take place in the latter stages besides its headline event – the title race.
Many teams will be looking to secure a European place, which could allow them to tour the continent next season. The teams are fighting to reach three different competitions; the UEFA Champions League; the UEFA Europa League; and the UEFA Europa Conference League.
We take a look at which teams are likely to qualify for UEFA’s trio of competitions, based on the betting markets offered by bookmakers in the United Kingdom.
The top four race
The top four positions in the Premier League all receive a place in the UCL, and three of those will surely be taken by title-chasers Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. However, the fourth spot could be claimed by a host of others. Many bookies predict that Tottenham Hotspur are the most likely team to finish in fourth spot. BetVictor, for example, offers Ange Postecoglou’s team at 8/11 to return to secure their UCL return following a single-season absence.
🚨⚪️ Ange Postecoglou on signings for Spurs on #DeadlineDay: “I said signings were unlikely yesterday, and they’re even less likely today”. pic.twitter.com/8A0OFrd7QP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2024
Aston Villa are also seen to have a realistic chance, as they’re presently offered at 11/10. They were seen as potential title challengers earlier in the season, but realistically, it’d still be a remarkable achievement if they were to finish in the top four. If the Villains were to cause a slight upset by beating Spurs to the final position, then they would end a 42-year wait to add to their history in the competition.
The Europa League battle
The team that finishes in the Premier League’s fifth spot typically earns entry into the Europa League, as well as the club in sixth, provided the FA Cup and League Cup winners finish in the top five. The team that misses out on the top four between Spurs and Villa would likely finish in fifth, but the sixth spot would still be up for grabs.
Manchester United are seen as the most likely team to secure a team top-six finish beyond the teams already mentioned offered at 11/10. The Red Devils have struggled to maintain a positive run of form throughout the season, although after 23 games played, their 38 points have automatically earned them the sixth position.
United are on course to secure Europa League football, but several teams are positioned closely behind them heading into the latter stages of the season. West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle United were all within five points of United following matchday 23.
The odds suggest the Magpies are the most likely to pip United to a Europa League finish, as they’re currently offered at a price of 7/4. Ultimately, the trio all represent a clear threat to Erik ten Hag’s European hopes.
The most victories for any United manager in their debut season.
🇳🇱 Erik ten Hag.#MUFC || #MUNWOL pic.twitter.com/gYu1U7Fa5E
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 13, 2023
If the season plays out as the betting markets predict, then Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Spurs, Villa and United will finish inside the top six and claim European qualification. However, proceedings don’t always pan out as expected in the most competitive league on the planet.
Europa Conference League
Besides the top six battles, the league could still award one final European ticket to one of its clubs. This would go to the team that finishes in seventh – if members of the final top six win the domestic cups.
Based on the odds for finishing in the top six, Newcastle would be the most likely team to narrowly miss out and settle for a Conference League place, although like the Europa League battle, Brighton and West Ham are poised to be involved, too.
The Premier League tends to be unpredictable in how its league positions eventuate each season. A few of the teams discussed here will likely underperform their expectations, and some that aren’t mentioned may even fight their way into the European picture.
This is simply how the betting markets suggest the battle for Europe could pan out. Nothing is concrete or guaranteed with many matchdays still to come, the outcomes of which could change everything.