English clubs wait nervously as Germany closes in on extra Champions League spot | first division

England's hopes of securing an extra place in next season's expanded Champions League hang by a thread after Manchester City departures and arsenal of this season's competition on Wednesday night, with Germany now the heavy favorite to take the prize.

The outlook could become bleaker or even terminal for England late in the game on Thursday night, when the Europa League and European conference league The quarter-final second legs have already concluded, and West Ham's draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the first is potentially crucial.

The situation has increased the pressure in the fight between Aston Villa and Tottenham for fourth place first division finish. Villa are fourth, three points ahead of Spurs, who have a game in hand.

England has four places guaranteed for next season Champions League That will go to the top four finishers in the Premier League. But with two European leagues rewarded with extra places in the new 36-team Champions League for 2024-25 (the recipients will be determined by the clubs' performance in the three European competitions this season), the hope had been that fifth place. in the Premier League it could bring a bonus. Now it is increasingly unlikely.

Italy is practically guaranteed one of the two extra places after the good performances of its clubs in Europe this season, and the second will come down to a fight between England and Germany.

The pendulum has swung in Germany's favor, particularly after Bayern Munich advanced to the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Arsenal. Borussia Dortmund had passed on Tuesday, beating Atlético Madrid, while City fell short against Real Madrid, losing on penalties.

Clubs get two UEFA coefficient points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. Penalties are not taken into account, so City scored a point for the “tie” after 120 minutes against Madrid. There are also bonus points for reaching certain stages of competitions, and clubs are at this stage. getting one per round they reach. A nation's points are divided by the number of teams competing in Europe to obtain its average coefficient.

After Wednesday's draws, Germany have 123.5 points for a coefficient of 17.642 from their seven clubs, while England have 135 points for 16.875 from their eight. Italy lead the table with a coefficient of 18.428.

West Ham would pick up points with a win or draw against Leverkusen in the second leg at the London Stadium, but, 2-0 down from the first leg, your hopes for progress are slim. The same thing happens with Liverpool, also in the Europa League, after their 3-0 home defeat against Atalanta in the first leg. They are in Bergamo for the return.

Villa could be allowed to carry the English flag. They are 2-1 up of the first leg of the Conference League tie against Lille. They play the second leg in France at 5:45 p.m. BST.