https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/18321332/premier-league-record-nine-teams-in-europe/amp/
A PREMIER League record NINE top flight teams could take part in European competition next season.
England currently has seven direct places, with four
Champions League slots, two in the Europa League and one in the Uefa Conference League - initially for the Carabao Cup winners.
But if
West Ham and
Leicester, both now semi-finalists, go on to win their respective tournaments, it opens the way for an extra TWO places - as long as neither of them finish in the top seven.
West Ham have the biggest carrot, knowing a victory in the Europa League final in Sevilla next month would earn them a place in the Champions League for the first time - as one of FIVE Prem representatives.
A Leicester win in the Conference League Final would see them earning a spot in next term’s Europa League, alongside the teams who finish fifth and sixth.
And if
Wolves were then to overtake the Hammers and finish seventh, they would earn a spot in the Conference League.
If West Ham win and finish fifth or sixth, the Prem would only have one team in the Europa League, and if they were to triumph and finish seventh there would be no English side in the newest competition.
A Leicester win and finish outside the top seven would mean eight Prem sides in action, including the seventh-placed side in the Conference League.
So, if both West Ham and Leicester win and neither finish in the top seven, then 9 Premier League teams will play in Europe next season for the first time in history.
CL: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, West Ham (EL winners)
EL: 5th, 6th, Leicester (UConfL winners)
UConfL: 7th