Last updated on April 9, 2025
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Man City will qualify for the Champions League if they finish at least fifth in the Premier League.
Image credit: Elochukwu
Arsenal stunned the football world on Tuesday night with a dominant 3-0 win over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
But while the Gunners celebrated, their victory may have unexpectedly handed Manchester City a major advantage in their pursuit of what’s left to accomplish this season—one that fans might not have seen coming.
Declan Rice scored twice in Arsenal’s emphatic Champions League quarter-final win, helping Mikel Arteta’s side take a massive step toward European glory.
Just weeks ago, Real Madrid had ended Manchester City’s Champions League run in dramatic fashion.
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Kylian Mbappe’s second-leg hat-trick sealed a 6-3 aggregate win, forcing Pep Guardiola’s team to shift their focus elsewhere.
With the Champions League dream over, City are now fighting for an FA Cup final place—with a semi-final against Nottingham Forest ahead—and aiming to secure a top-four Premier League finish to book their European spot for next season.
But in a twist of fate, Arsenal’s win has shifted the landscape.
Thanks to Premier League clubs’ strong performance in UEFA competitions this season, England has secured a top-two place in UEFA’s association coefficient rankings.
That earns an extra “European Performance Spot” (EPS), meaning five English teams will qualify for the Champions League next season instead of the usual four.
That opens the door for a club like City, currently sitting sixth in the league, to sneak into the Champions League if they can leapfrog just one more team before the campaign ends.
Man City’s summer rebuild is already in motion. Hugo Viana is set to arrive as the new director of football, and qualifying for the Champions League could be key in attracting top-tier talent to the Etihad Stadium.
With Newcastle United currently in fifth and boasting a game in hand, City will need a strong finish. Here’s how the fixtures compare:
Newcastle United’s Remaining Games
