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Even if Newcastle United finishes fifth, they could qualify for the Champions League.
The Champions League will have a new format next season, with 36 teams competing in an expanded ‘Swiss league’ style, with four English clubs regularly sitting at Europe’s top table. An additional berth will be given to each of the two countries whose clubs have performed the best in UEFA competitions this season.
So, if Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle, Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham, or Aston Villa produce one of the top two performances for a nation in the Champions League, Europa League, or UEFA Europa Conference League, whoever finishes fifth in the Premier League will be assigned a Champions League spot.
Five teams have never before qualified through their league rank, although given English sides’ good performances in Europe, it would be surprising if this would not happen. In fact, the Premier League has earned this additional slot in five of the last six seasons.
There will be tight competition for the final berth, but Given Newcastle’s current mentality, Howe will not be stressing over league rankings and aiming to finish fifth.
“To finish in the top four was something we didn’t expect,” Newcastle manager Steve Bruce said on NUFC TV last season, before his team crushed Aston Villa 5-1 on the opening day. “With the competitions we’re in, achieving the same would be an incredible achievement, but that’s not to say we’re putting a ceiling on what we can achieve.”