NOTTINGHAM FOREST beat Tottenham 2-1 last night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, to boost their chances of playing European football next season.
The two time winners haven’t played in the Champions League since 1980, and jumped back into the top 3 after their victory against a struggling Spurs.
Only three points separate 3rd-placed Forest and 7th-placed Aston Villa, with Newcastle, Man City and Chelsea taking up the other three positions.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side slipped to sixth after wins for both blue sides at the weekend, but a crucial win on a visit to his old club moved Forest back into Champions League contention.
With a potential 11 European places up for grabs, Nuno’s men have a solid chance of playing abroad next season, but with only 5 games to go, they will definitely have their sights set on Europe’s premier competition.
The European Breakdown
A minimum of five teams will be playing Champions League football next season, as there’s an added 5th position due to England’s performance in the UEFA coefficient rankings.
That number could rise to six if Arsenal win the Champions League, but finish outside of the top four. There could even be seven if one of Spurs or Manchester United win the Europa League.
Two teams can get Europa League football next year – the team who finishes 6th, and the FA Cup winners. However, if the cup winners have already secured a European place, it will go to the next highest-placed side that hasn’t qualified for Europe.
If Chelsea win the Conference League, but fail to qualify for the Champions League, a third place could be added.
One Conference League place will be awarded, which is currently in Newcastle’s possession after their Carabao Cup triumph, but as Eddie Howe’s side are currently sat in the top four, it’s looking likely the position will be handed over.
Therefore, whoever finishes 9th or 10th may be given a spot in Europe. But how could there be 11 spaces up for grabs?
Well, it’s unlikely, but still could happen.
Arsenal would need to win the Champions League, either Spurs or Man United would need to win the Europa League, Chelsea would need to win the Conference League, but ALL would need to finish outside of the top six.
As Arsenal are currently second in the League, this probably won’t happen, but there’s plenty of other positions up for grabs, so who will end the race on the European podium?
