Premier League European places: Leeds United and Hull City's potential paths explained after stellar starts
European qualification explained after strong Premier League starts for Leeds United and Hull City
Four games into their respective Premier League campaigns, Leeds United and Hull City are in the top four.
Arsenal and Manchester City are - somewhat predictably - the top two sides. However, few envisaged the Whites or the Tigers sitting third and fourth at this stage of the campaign.
It is of course early days, but it is only natural for supporters to start dreaming of something special. Sunderland raced straight into Europe after their promotion from the Championship last season, something Hull would love to emulate.
Leeds are looking to live more comfortably after beating the drop last term, but have been tipped to challenge for European football by some pundits.
After their 4-1 rout of Newcastle United last night (September 14), ex-Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards said: “They’re definitely in that bracket of teams now, that will be in the mix, there’s no doubt about it. I keep pointing there, to Elland Road, I’m looking on the big screen, that brings a few more points I think.
“The fans are incredible there and with the intensity they’re playing at, it’s a real fortress, it’s a difficult place to go. Their home form will be key to it as well.”
England’s top tier is well-represented in Europe, but the qualification criteria is fluid and not always simple to understand.
Here is a breakdown of how Premier League clubs can qualify for Europe.
Champions League qualification
Generally, the top four Premier League clubs will qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
Europa League qualification
The Premier League’s fifth-placed club and the winners of the FA Cup both qualify for the Europa League.
Conference League qualification
Winners of the Carabao Cup are given a place in the Conference League play-offs.
How the process can change
If the winners of the FA Cup finish in the Premier League’s top five, their place in the Europa League will go to the next-highest ranked club who have not qualified for a UEFA competition.
If the winners of the Carabao Cup finish in the top five - or the top six if the FA Cup winners are also in the top five - their Conference League play-off spot will be awarded to the next highest-ranked club without a place in Europe.
There are also two leagues in Europe given an extra place in the Champions League based on the record of their clubs in UEFA competitions. ‘Coefficient points’ are assigned and if England are one of the two leagues with the most points, the fifth-placed Premier League club will qualify for the Champions League. Europa League and Conference League qualification places will therefore move down one position.
2025/26 season example
Last season, the way in which qualification can change was on full display. England were given an extra Champions League spot as a result of their coefficient points tally, giving qualification to fifth-placed Liverpool. This meant AFC Bournemouth’s sixth-placed finish secured them a place in the Europa League.
Second-placed Manchester City won both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, freeing up the Europa League and Conference League spots to be taken by seventh-placed Sunderland and eighth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion respectively.