As the 2023/2024 Premier League season comes to a close on Sunday, Chelsea and Man United will be looking at finalising their pursuit for a place in Europe next season.
Fifth-placed Tottenham already have secured a top-six finish, guaranteeing them a spot in next season’s Europa League.
However, the final standings of Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United will depend on today’s results and the outcome of the FA Cup final.
Chelsea’s remarkable late-season surge, winning their last four games, has lifted them from 11th place in March to the brink of European qualification.
Currently favorites to finish sixth, Chelsea will qualify for the Europa League if they win against Bournemouth, and could even finish fifth ahead of Tottenham should the Spurs lose to Sheffield United.
Though a draw against Bournemouth could also see them secure sixth place and qualify for the Europa League, but they would have to hope Manchester United do not win the FA Cup.
If Chelsea lose and Newcastle win against Brentford, Chelsea will finish seventh and will need Manchester City to win the FA Cup to secure a spot in the Conference League.
Newcastle’s Path to Europe
Newcastle has also made a strong push for Europe, recovering from their early-season struggles. Despite a recent loss to Manchester United, they remain in contention.
To qualify, Newcastle must better Manchester United’s result and hope Chelsea lose to Bournemouth or Manchester City win the FA Cup final.
A win for Newcastle combined with a Chelsea loss would secure sixth place and a guaranteed spot in European competition.
If they finish seventh and City win the FA Cup, they will qualify for the Conference League. Failure to better Manchester United’s result will see them finish eighth and miss out on European football altogether.
Manchester United, after a season-long struggle to maintain sixth place, face the risk of missing out on Europe.
A crucial win against Newcastle has kept their hopes alive for seventh place. However, their poor goal difference means they must win the FA Cup to secure European qualification if they fail to surpass Newcastle on EPL final day.
A poor result at Brighton will leave them eighth, necessitating a FA Cup victory to enter the Europa League.
Overtaking Newcastle guarantees a European spot regardless of the FA Cup outcome, but a seventh-place finish and a FA Cup loss would place them in the Conference League.
