While several sides will be competing for the Premier League title this season, a whole host of clubs would simply be thrilled to qualify for Europe.

For some of the division’s bigger hitters, that’s the Champions League, while clubs without a grand history of European adventures will be delighted if they’re in the mix for the Europe League or Conference League come next May.

However, dreaming of European qualification and achieving it are two entirely different things, especially in the cut-throat environment of the world’s richest football league.

So, which Premier League sides will qualify for Europe next term?

To clarify early doors, we’re basing these predictions on Premier League finishes. Of course, domestic and continental cup winners are guaranteed European spots and there could be five English sides in the Champions League depending on coefficients, but we’re keeping things simple.

The top four will secure Champions League, fifth and sixth will take the Europa League and seventh will reach the Conference League.

With that in mind, let’s start with the obvious. Manchester City may as well be gifted their place in next season’s Champions League already, with the Cityzens the overwhelming favourites for a fifth successive Premier League title.

Arsenal are the closest to overthrowing the champions and even if they fail to usurp Pep Guardiola’s side, it would be a mighty shock if they didn’t finish in the top four. Something remarkable would have to happen to deny Mikel Arteta’s men Champions League football in 2025/26.

Liverpool are heading into the unknown following Jurgen Klopp’s departure and Arne Slot’s arrival, but they still remain among the favourites for the top four. Having finished third last season and challenged for the title for much of the campaign, it would take a dramatic drop-off to see them fall out of the Champions League qualification spots.

Who will grab that fourth and final spot in Europe’s premier competition is tough to call. However, following a summer of spending and an FA Cup triumph last season, Manchester United may sneak into the fold. Erik ten Hag’s side finished a record-low eighth last term but have the quality and potential to correct their mistakes in 2024/25.

Having finished fifth last season, Tottenham Hotspur may have to settle for the same in 2024/25. They are likely to push for a Champions League berth – as they did last season – but their porous backline could be their undoing in a race for top four. Still, a fifth-placed finish would not be a disastrous season for the Lilywhites – depending on performances – and would keep them in the Europa League at least.

Aston Villa stunned the Premier League last term with their remarkable ascent to fourth. However, the fact they’re in this season’s Champions League may have a negative impact on their domestic performances, something Newcastle United struggled with in 2023/24. As a result, we’re predicting a sixth-placed finish, which would likely be welcomed as they aim to establish themselves as European regulars.

The fight for the Conference League looks incredibly open heading into the new season but we fancy Newcastle to make their European return. They would have qualified for the competition last season had Man Utd not won the FA Cup and a year without continental distractions may help them play with greater consistency.

Unfortunately for Chelsea, that means no European football for the 2025/26 season. Having swapped Enzo Maresca for Mauricio Pochettino, we’re anticipating a rollercoaster season for the Blues, who still have many of the same issues they did in 2023/24.

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