How Man Utd and Liverpool can BOTH qualify for Champions League today
The battle for Champions League qualification heats up on Sunday with Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa all in action.Just three points separates the trio in the Premier League table as Man United lead the way in third following their 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday night.Liverpool and Villa are locked together on 58 points, but the Reds sit fourth by virtue of a superior goal difference.Fifth place in the Premier League will, once again, be enough for Champions League football due to how English clubs have performed in European competitions this season.There is a scenario in which the team who finishes sixth earns a spot at Europe’s top table, though Villa must overturn a one-goal deficit in their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest to keep this as a possibility.Hoping to gatecrash the top five are a host of sides. From Brighton in sixth all the way to Crystal Palace in 13th, eight teams are still mathematically in the hunt for Champions League qualification.Man Utd know victory over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford will guarantee a return to the Champions League with three games to spare.A win for the Reds by a two-goal margin would take them above their bitter rivals in third because of their superior goal difference and it may also be enough to confirm a top-five finish.Aston Villa are in action against Tottenham later in the day hoping to move on to 61 points and ensure they can no longer be caught by Chelsea, Brentford, Fulham, Everton, Sunderland or Palace.After Brighton lost at Newcastle, if Bournemouth fail to beat Palace, Man Utd’s place in next season’s Champions League will be confirmed before kick-off against Liverpool.Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League if they beat Man United and Bournemouth fail to beat Palace.Aston Villa will qualify for the Champions League if they beat Spurs and Bournemouth fail to beat Palace.This is due to Brighton and Bournemouth then not being able to reach 61 points even if they were to win their remaining three games of the season.
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