UEFA have made some changes to the coefficient rankings this year, with the top two nations in the standings set to earn an extra place in the Champions League next season.
Whilst West Ham are not in the running to finish inside the top five in the Premier League table, we still have a big part to play for those who are, after the recent changes to the UEFA coefficient rankings.
The Hammers are in the last-16 of the Europa League, and we can progress through the the quarter-finals if we manage to overturn a one-goal deficit against Freiburg tomorrow.
I have full confidence that we will beat the Germans at the London Stadium – we’ve done it twice this season already after all!
And the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United will be keen for us to win tomorrow…
Sky Sports share update on UEFA coefficient changes
Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam explained how England’s hopes of earning a fifth Champions League spot for next season are looking right now (Wednesday March 13th, 8:40am):
“So as things stand, the Premier League are allocated four Champions League spots. However, there are additional spots available and it depends on the coefficient rating. So essentially, when English sides play in the Europa League, Champions League and Europa Conference League, they are awarded points which go into a league table. At the moment, it’s Italy and Germany at the top of the table so therefore, the top two get that extra spot in the Champions League. Right now, England wouldn’t get that extra spot. This is where you need, Manchester City and Arsenal, Brighton, Aston Villa and Liverpool to perform exceptionally well in the latter stages of European competition. Then of course they will get more points for England which could potentially move them up to second or even top of the coefficient rating and therefore, fifth spot in the Premier League could become a Champions League place.”
Erm…why no mention of West Ham Mark? We still have a great chance of progressing through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with the second-leg clash with what is a very average Freiburg side to come tomorrow night.
It’s so typical of Sky Sports to completely leave us out of the conversation. I mean, I sort of understand them mentioning clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool, but Villa and Brighton? Seriously…Brighton lost 4-0 against Roma in their first-leg clash so they’re as good as out already anyway!
The UEFA changes to the coefficient rankings system means that those chasing down the top five spots in the league will be keeping a close eye on the English sides still in Europe.
And yes Sky Sports, West Ham still have a very big say in the outcome.
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