Why English clubs are set to miss out on an extra Champions League place

England’s Premier League have been a dominant force in European competitions in recent years, but they have picked an unfortunate year to experience an alarming slump in fortunes.

UEFA will award an extra Champions League place to the two domestic leagues that excel in this season’s competitions, with the exits of Arsenal and Manchester City from this season’s competition on Wednesday night all but confirming the Premier League will not have a fifth team in Europe’s elite tournament.

Arsenal were beaten by Bayern Munich in Germany and City’s defence of the Champions League crown was ended by Real Madrid in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at the Etihad Stadium after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.

Those results mean it is almost certain that Italy’s Serie A and Germany’s Bundesliga will have five teams in next season’s Champions League, with England’s Premier League set to have four once again.

This will be a hammer blow to Tottenham, who are currently in fifth place and would appear to be the favourites to finish in that position.

It is also a setback for Manchester United and Newcastle, who may have harboured hopes of overhauling Spurs in fifth place.

The good news does not stop there for the Italian and German leagues and they could have even more than five teams in the Champions League next season.

If Italian side Atalanta win this season’s Europa League, that could ensure six places for Serie A sides in next season’s Champions League.

Atalanta would qualify for the Champions League by winning the competition they are in this season and if they finish outside of the top four in their domestic league, the performance related place would go to another Italian team.

Germany could also have six teams in next season’s Champions League if Borussia Dortmund win this season’s competition and fail to secure a top four finish in the Bundesliga, where they are currently in fifth position.

UPDATED UEFA CO-EFFICIENT RANKING

1. Italy: 18.428

2. Germany: 17.642

3. England: 16.875

4. Spain: 15.312

5. France: 15.250

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