The Premier League top four will qualify for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
With just one more week of action left in England's top flight for 2022/23, two of those four places are still up for grabs.
It had looked as though matters would be settled on May 20 until Roberto Firmino, on his final appearance for Liverpool at Anfield, scored a goal that kept the Reds in the race — at least, for a little longer.
Below, The Sporting News runs through which teams have qualified for next season's Champions League from England, the current standings and permutations, and the remaining matches for those involved in the race.
MORE: Premier League standings 2022/23
Premier League teams in Champions League 2023/24: Who has qualified?
As of the week beginning May 15, Premier League leaders Manchester City and second-place Arsenal had qualified for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
The final two places in the top four looked as though they would be sewn up on May 20, but Firmino's late equaliser for Liverpool against Aston Villa means nothing is certain just yet.
Newcastle defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1 on May 18, while Man United were 1-0 winners at Bournemouth on May 20. Liverpool's draw with Villa means that they can still finish in the top four, but they will need big favours from elsewhere.
Newcastle will be guaranteed of a place in next season's Champions League with one point from their final two matches. Man United will also be certain of a qualifying for the competition if they manage one point from their final two matches.
Meanwhile, Liverpool must win against Southampton on Matchday 38, or a top-four finish will be impossible.
Premier League table as of May 20, 2023
| Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played |
Max Points |
Goal Diff. |
Next Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Man City* | 85 | 35 | 94 | +61 | vs. CHE, May 21 |
| 2. | Arsenal* | 81 | 36 | 87 | +41 | @ NOT, May 20 |
| 3. | Newcastle | 69 | 36 | 75 | +35 | vs. LEI, May 22 |
| 4. | Man United | 69 | 36 | 75 | +11 | vs. CHE, May 25 |
| — | ——————— | —— | ——— | ——— | ——— | ——————— |
| 5. | Liverpool | 66 | 37 | 69 | +28 | @ SOU, May 28 |
| 6. | Brighton | 58 | 35 | 67 | +18 | @ AVL, May 28 |
| 7. | Aston Villa | 58 | 37 | 61 | +5 | vs. BRI, May 28 |
| 8. | Tottenham | 57 | 37 | 60 | +4 | @ LEE, May 28 |
| 9. | Brentford | 56 | 37 | 59 | +11 | vs. MCI, May 28 |
Newcastle United remaining Premier League matches 2022/23
- vs. Leicester City (May 22)
- @ Chelsea (May 28)
Manchester United remaining Premier League matches 2022/23
- vs. Chelsea (May 25)
- vs. Fulham (May 28)
Liverpool remaining Premier League matches 2022/23
- @ Southampton (May 28)
MORE: Watch every Premier League match live with fubo in Canada
European places in Premier League 2022/23: How many teams can qualify for Europe?
The 2022/23 Premier League season mirrors recent campaigns in providing the opportunity for seven Premier League clubs to clinch a European spot at the end of the campaign.
As per UEFA rules, the Premier League is guaranteed four Champions League places, two Europa League places, and one Europa Conference League place.
The Champions League picture, via Premier League finishes, is relatively straightforward with the top four sides securing a place in the 2023/24 Champions League group stages.
Prior to the start of the season, fifth spot is reserved for a Europa League qualification place, with the FA Cup and EFL Cup winners given Europa League and Europa Conference spots respectively, subject to criteria.
If either cup winner secures a European place via league finish, their spot is designated to the next ranked team, with sixth place set for the Europa League, and seventh for the Europa Conference League.
What happens if an English club wins a European trophy?
The prospect of a domestic cup win disrupting the 'league path' to Europe remains a factor each season, but the top six/seven is generally the final qualification route.
Since 2013/14, Arsenal's 2020 FA Cup triumph is the only example of a Premier League side qualifying for Europe, outside of a designated league finish.
If Manchester City win this season's Champions League, the team that finishes in fifth in the Premier League will not be given a Champions League place for next season. Instead, Man City will qualify as tournament winners, and the rest of the top-four Premier League teams will qualify as normal.
If West Ham win the Europa Conference League, they will earn a place in the Europa League in 2023/24, meaning England will have eight sides in Europe.
