Sunderland’s European route explained, how finishing as low as 11th might still count | OneFootball

Sunderland could yet qualify for Europe this season, but the permutations are complex.

According to Sunderland Echo, the league is set to get five Champions League berths via UEFA’s coefficient. So the top five would be in the Champions League, sixth in the Europa League and seventh in the Europa Conference League.

Manchester City have already won the Carabao Cup, which carries a Conference League spot. Given they are overwhelmingly likely to qualify via the league, that place would pass down.

If Manchester City or Chelsea win the FA Cup and finish in the top six, a Europa League place would pass into the league. If Leeds United or Southampton win it from outside the European spots, that route closes.

Aston Villa could win the Europa League yet finish outside the top five and still reach the Champions League, taking the total to six. The same could apply to Liverpool.

Overall, European places could extend beyond the usual range. The likeliest outcome has the top seven or eight qualifying, which keeps Sunderland in play with just seven points between fifth and 13th.

In an extreme case, even 11th could be enough. That would require Liverpool and Aston Villa winning in Europe and finishing outside the top five, plus Crystal Palace winning the Conference League while outside the top six, making 11 clubs in Europe, seven Champions League, three Europa League and one Europa Conference League, though highly unlikely.

Source: Sunderland Echo