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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea get major update in race for Champions League qualification

Chelsea are firmly in the battle for Champions League qualification - (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Chelsea have received an update regarding their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Following an alarming dip in form under Enzo Maresca, including a run of just two wins in nine matches stretching back to just before Christmas, saw the Blues slip to sixth place in the Premier League.

Chelsea have since recovered, recording back-to-back wins over Southampton and Leicester to climb back into fourth ahead of this weekend’s clash away at Arsenal. Though, by the time they kick-off in north London, they may have slipped a place, or two.

This is because Maresca’s side are involved a scrap with as many as eight teams fighting for Champions League qualification.

But their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season have been given another boost this week.

After the Champions League play-off last-16 ties, the Premier League remain in a strong place to secure an extra place in next season’s competition, and this is despite Liverpool’s exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

Two leagues will be rewarded with an extra place in next season's Champions League based on performances in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League this season. The two leagues with the best average coefficient scores get an extra place.

The Premier League are on course to be rewarded with an extra spot in next season’s Champions League (AFP via Getty Images)

The Premier League is top of the coefficient table on 24.250 points, with La Liga second on 21.678 points.

Serie A is third on 19.937 points but, after AC Milan, Atalanta and Juventus were all knocked out in the Champions League play-off round, Italian clubs will struggle to catch the Premier League.

Arsenal are still in the Champions League, Tottenham and Mancehster United remain in the Europa League and Chelsea are red-hot favourites to lift the Conference League.

An extra spot for the Premier League would mean the top five would qualify for the Champions League, which is good news for Chelsea.

Coefficient table

1. England, 24.250

2. Spain, 21.678

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3. Italy, 19.937

4. Germany, 17.921

5. Portugal, 16.250

6. France, 16.214

7. Belgium, 15.650

8. Netherlands, 15.250

9. Greece, 12.687

10. Norway, 11.062

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