EPL loses fifth spot UCL favorites status, Tottenham desperate for Arsenal wins

THE PREMIER LEAGUE is in real danger of “losing” its fifth slot in next season’s expanded Champions League.

And that’s why Tottenham fans should be desperate for North London rivals Arsenal to beat Bayern Munich in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final second leg.

If the Gunners can knock out Bayern Munich, it will be a massive boost to England in its battle with Germany to have five clubs in the 2024/5 Champions League.

And if Manchester City can see off Real Madrid as well, the Premier League will move back ahead of the Bundesliga and the chances will increase of fifth place being enough for Spurs (or Aston Villa) to qualify for Europe’s blue riband competition.

Next season’s CL will have 36 teams, compared to the current 32. Two of the four additional places will be awarded to the countries whose teams perform best in this season’s European competitions.

Right now Italy are way out in front at the top of Uefa’s coefficent rankings on 18.428, with Germany second on 17.214 and England on 16.750.

This makes Arsenal’s clash with Bayern particularly important and presents a dilemma for Spurs fans who would otherwise naturally support former striker Harry Kane and his Munich mates.

If Mikel Arteta’s side triumph in Munich, they will add more Uefa points to England’s total AND prevent Bayern adding more to Germany’s, while leaving the Bundesliga with just two clubs (Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen) competing in Europe.

A City win over Real will add points to England’s total, too. 

But if City win and Arsenal lose, Germany will have 17.642 and England 17.125 - in other words, the Bundlesliga’s lead over the Premier League will increase.

In contrast, a Gunners victory and defeat for Pep Guardiola’s men would leave Germany