How Manchester United and Liverpool can BOTH qualify for Champions League this weekend | OneFootball

Man United could lose to Liverpool this weekend and still qualify for the Champions League

The battle for Champions League qualification heats up this weekend with Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa all in action.

Just three points separates the trio in the Premier League table as Man United lead the way in third following their 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday night.

Liverpool and Villa are locked together on 58 points, but the Reds sit fourth by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Fifth place in the Premier League will, once again, be enough for Champions League football due to how English clubs have performed in European competitions this season.

There is a scenario in which the team who finishes sixth earns a spot at Europe’s top table, though Villa must overturn a one-goal deficit in their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest to keep this as a possibility.

How Manchester United and Liverpool can BOTH qualify for Champions League this weekend

Man Utd know victory over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford will guarantee a return to the Champions League with three games to spare.

A win for the Reds by a two-goal margin would take them above their bitter rivals in third because of their superior goal difference and it may also be enough to confirm a top-five finish.

Aston Villa are in action against Tottenham later in the day hoping to move on to 61 points and ensure they can no longer be caught by Chelsea, Brentford, Fulham, Everton, Sunderland or Palace.

Now, if Brighton and Bournemouth both fail to beat Newcastle and Palace respectively, Man Utd’s place in next season’s Champions League will be confirmed before kick-off against Liverpool.

Europe’s ultimate prize: The Champions League

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Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League if they beat Man United and if Brighton and Bournemouth both fail to beat Newcastle and Palace respectively.

Aston Villa will qualify for the Champions League if they beat Spurs and if Brighton and Bournemouth both fail to beat Newcastle and Palace respectively

This is due to Brighton and Bournemouth not being able to reach 61 points even if they were to win their remaining three games of the season.