Newcastle’s EFL Cup win could let 11th place team in Europe
Newcastle United edged past Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley on Sunday, March 16, lifting their first trophy of the 2024/25 season. Their EFL Cup win also earned them a place in the UEFA Conference League playoff round. This victory could cause a shake-up in the race for Europe.
If Newcastle finish the Premier League season in the top five, they can qualify for the Europa League or even the Champions League. When that happens, their Conference League spot will be handed to the next-best team that hasn’t earned a place in Europe. This could allow the 11th-placed club to sneak in.
How do Premier League teams reach Europe?
The top four teams in the Premier League earn a place in the Champions League. England can get five teams in the Champions League if they get the highest UEFA coefficient in Europe. That metric depends on how far Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool will reach in the Champions League knockout rounds.
The sixth and seventh-placed teams could qualify for the Europa League if five teams qualify for the Champions League. The FA Cup winner also earns a place. The EFL Cup champ, like Newcastle, usually claims a Conference League Playoff spot.
What if the EFL Cup winner qualifies for a bigger contest?
When an EFL Cup winner makes the Champions League or Europa League through their league spot, their Conference League place goes to the next best team. If the top 10 clubs qualify for Europe, the 11th-placed team could grab the spare spot.
Could 11th place sneak into Europe?
If all 10 teams claim a European place, Newcastle’s Conference League spot would drop to the 11th-placed side. It may seem far-fetched, but it could happen. Here’s how:
- Liverpool, Arsenal, Forest, and Man City could take the top four and make the Champions League.
- Newcastle could finish fifth and reach the Champions League if UEFA gives England an extra place.
- Brighton could claim a Europa League spot by placing sixth.
- Bournemouth might win the FA Cup and grab a Europa League place.
- Chelsea could qualify for the Europa League by winning the Conference League.
- Aston Villa could make the Champions League by winning that contest.
- Man United or Spurs could earn a Champions League spot by lifting the Europa League trophy.
What this means for Newcastle
Though Newcastle have locked in a Conference League Playoff spot, they will aim higher. Their focus is on placing in the top five, which would send them to the Champions or Europa League. If they achieve that, their Conference League spot will be passed down.
This could hand a mid-table team a rare shot at European football next season. With the race for Europe heating up, Newcastle’s win may have opened the door for a team that would usually miss out.
