In Focus: How NINE Premier League teams could qualify for Europe

The Premier League could make history next season with NINE teams potentially playing in Europe. 

As English sides continue to chase glory in the Champions League, Europa League and newly-formed Conference League this term, there are plenty of possible outcomes still on the cards.

LiveScore cast an eye over the permutations as we enter the business end of another exciting campaign.

How many Premier League teams can qualify for the Champions League?

As always, the teams that finish in the Premier League’s top four will automatically qualify for the group stage of the Champions League.

The winners of the Europa League are also rewarded with Champions League qualification. 

So if West Ham manage to clinch their first continental title in 42 years, five English teams will appear in European football's elite competition next season.

The Hammers reached the semi-finals of the Europa League by beating French outfit Lyon 4-1 on aggregate and face Eintracht Frankfurt this week, while reigning Scottish champions Rangers take on RB Leipzig in the other semi-final.

How many Premier League teams can qualify for the Europa League?

The teams that finish fifth and sixth in the Premier League will qualify for the Europa League group stage.

And the winners of the Europa Conference League are also handed a spot in the Europa League, meaning semi-finalists Leicester could potentially be the third team representing England in the competition next term.

The Foxes currently sit 10th in the Premier League and are some distance away from the top seven, which would mean an extra European spot would be awarded to them if they win the Conference League.

How many Premier League teams can qualify for the Europa Conference League?

The team that finishes seventh in the Premier League automatically qualifies for the Europa Conference League.

However, there may not be English representation in the third-tier competition at all next season if Leicester become the first-ever winners and finish seventh as their spot would not transfer to another team.

If the Foxes do not crack the top seven, the team who bags the final spot will qualify for the Conference League unless West Ham take seventh and earn a Champions League place by winning the Europa League.

FA Cup winners

Fortunately for the team that finishes sixth — currently Manchester United — Europa League qualification is now guaranteed as Crystal Palace were knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea.

If Palace had have gone on to provide a shock by lifting the Cup, they would have qualified for the Europa League in place of the team in sixth, who would have been handed Europa Conference League qualification instead.

Potential scenarios

If West Ham and Leicester both taste European glory and only one of them finish inside the top seven, a record eight English teams will qualify for European competitions with five in the Champions League and three in the Europa League.

However, if the Hammers and Foxes both drop out of that group and bring home the trophies, there will be nine representatives as seventh-place will earn a spot in the Conference League.