The race for Champions League qualification in England is no longer simply about finishing in the top four. European Performance Spots (EPS) now offer the possibility for a fifth-placed team to earn a Champions League berth, as Newcastle experienced last season.
The race for Champions League qualification in England is no longer simply about finishing in the top four. European Performance Spots (EPS) now offer the possibility for a fifth-placed team to earn a Champions League berth, as Newcastle experienced last season.
To determine which countries receive an EPS, UEFA evaluates the performance of clubs across the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. They calculate an average by dividing the total coefficient points by the number of participating clubs from each league.
Each victory in European competition awards two coefficient points, while a draw gives one. Additional bonus points are assigned depending on a team’s progress in each competition, with Champions League achievements carrying the highest rewards. For example, teams finishing 25th–36th in the Champions League earn six bonus points, compared to four points for the Conference League winner.
This system ensures that strong European results from multiple teams in a league can improve its chances of securing extra Champions League places. The mechanism rewards depth and consistency across competitions rather than individual club success alone.
England is currently in a strong position for EPS this season, though the standings could shift quickly in the coming weeks. Much will depend on the concluding matches of the Champions League and Europa League, which offer the largest bonus points.
Poland leads the EPS table, but all its clubs have competed in the Conference League, and one has already been eliminated. With no points expected from the January fixtures, Poland is likely to drop down the rankings.
England sits in second place, 1.201 points ahead of Germany. While this gap seems modest, it represents roughly four wins and a draw for Bundesliga teams. However, England fields more clubs in Europe—nine compared to Germany’s seven—which slightly reduces the impact of each win on the average.
For the Premier League to maintain its advantage, it is crucial that as many teams as possible continue in European competitions. Currently, eight English clubs are likely to advance in the Champions League and Europa League, accumulating significant bonus points. Germany and other leagues would need exceptional results to surpass England, a challenging task given the current standings.
At the top of the Premier League table, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa have created some separation from the chasing pack. Arsenal holds a five-point lead over City, who are one point ahead of Villa, with Liverpool trailing seven points behind the Villans.
The battle for fifth place is becoming particularly intense. Liverpool aims to extend their advantage over the lower half if they defeat Leeds, but beyond that, the fight for European qualification remains crowded. Only seven points separate Chelsea in fifth from Bournemouth in 15th, making the chase for the final Champions League spots highly competitive.
With the top three fairly established, the real drama may come from this mid-table fight, effectively creating a parallel contest for the opportunity to qualify for Europe’s premier competition. The combination of domestic form and European success will ultimately determine who benefits from the EPS system.
