On Thursday evening, Tottenham and Arsenal will face off in the biggest North London Derby in years, with a spot in the Champions League up for grabs.
As things stand, the Gunners are in pole position for a top-four finish and can win their place in Europe’s premier competition at their great rivals’ home ground.
After seeing Arsenal win the Premier League title at White Hart Lane in April 2004, Antonio Conte and his Spurs team will be determined to prevent their opponents from repeating the feat.
Arsenal’s four-point advantage entering into the final three games of the season means it’s a must-win game for the Lilywhites in their bid to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2019/20.
With two games remaining, a draw would further enhance Arsenal’s position, meaning Spurs will need massive favors from Newcastle United and Everton against Mikel Arteta’s side if they are to finish ahead of them at the final whistle.
With one of the two clubs destined to miss out on the top four until Chelsea dramatically collapses in their next three games, fans of both clubs have been speculating what would happen if Liverpool won the Champions League at the end of the month.
So, if Liverpool beat Real Madrid in the final, will the Premier League gain an extra spot in Europe’s top competition in 2022/23?
Normally, the top four teams in the Premier League standings at the end of the season are awarded a berth in the Champions League. However, only five Premier League clubs are eligible to compete in the Champions League.
The additional spot would be awarded only if a Premier League club won the Champions League or Europa League but finished outside the top four. Winning either trophy guarantees automatic qualification for the group stage of the competition the next season, regardless of their final league standing.
However, if a club wins one of the two European competitions and ends in the top four, their Champions League qualifying is not transferred to another team because of their league position. Due to Liverpool’s 21-point lead over Tottenham entering into the final three games, whomever finishes fifth will not be awarded a Champions League spot and would instead qualify for the Europa League next season.
So, on Thursday evening in north London, it’s all to play for as both sides aim for a top-four finish. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has yet to host a North London Derby in front of a full crowd since it opened, so expect a lively environment as both sets of fans cheer their teams on to victory.
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