Aston Villa can take a step towards opening up a sixth Champions League qualification spot for the Premier League by winning the Europa League.
Bournemouth and Brighton will be hoping that Aston Villa beat Freiburg and earn their first major European trophy since 1982.
Champions League Qualification Scenarios
The Premier League earned a fifth Champions League spot this season through UEFA’s European Performance Spots, but that would be extended to sixth place if Aston Villa win and then finish fifth. This sixth spot would replace one of the two Europa League slots.
If Aston Villa lose to Freiburg or finish in the top four, only the top five in the Premier League will qualify for the Champions League. Liverpool are all but guaranteed to finish in fifth as they are three points ahead of Bournemouth with a superior goal difference heading into the final day of the season.
Conference League Impact
The Premier League could also have nine teams playing in Europe next season, should Crystal Palace win the Conference League. This would earn them a Europa League place.
Final Day Scenarios for Other Teams
Aston Villa will drop to fifth if they lose at Manchester City and Liverpool beat Brentford.
Bournemouth will finish fifth if they beat Nottingham Forest and overturn a six-goal swing in goal difference with Liverpool losing to Brentford. Bournemouth need a point to confirm sixth place.
Brighton will finish sixth if they beat Man Utd and Bournemouth lose to Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea can only finish as high as seventh by bettering Brighton’s result.
Brentford will finish seventh if they beat Liverpool and Chelsea and Brighton fail to win.
Sunderland will finish seventh if they beat Chelsea, Brighton lose and Brentford don’t win.
Newcastle, Everton and Fulham are out of the race for Europe as they can only reach 52 points, which wouldn’t be enough to finish eighth.