Tottenham may need Arsenal to create history to earn Champions League spot

Tottenham Hotspur fans may have to rely on Arsenal doing the unthinkable and winning the Champions League if they want to enter the competition next season.

Currently, the top four teams in the Premier League qualify for the elite European competition automatically. If the season was to end today, Spurs would qualify for next year's tournament alongside the Gunners, Liverpool and Manchester City.

However, Ange Postecoglou's side are only just inside the top four with Aston Villa breathing down their necks in fifth. Unai Emery's team are only behind Spurs on goal difference with a three-goal swing enough to knock Tottenham down into fifth.

Previously if Tottenham were to finish outside the top four they would miss out on the Champions League and have to settle for the Europa League. However, UEFA are expanding their competition next season which potentially allows those who finish fifth another shot at Champions League qualification.

In order to expand the tournament, UEFA has announced that the top two nations in their coefficient rankings will receive an extra Champions League spot which shall be handed to the team which finishes fifth in their respective top leagues. Nations earn points in the ranking system depending on how teams who compete in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League fare.

Currently, Italy are all but guaranteed to gain one of these extra spots as they sit top of the rankings with 18.428. Atalanta's 3-0 victory over Liverpool in the Europa League helped boost their chances of finishing top of the rankings.

Spurs team Postecoglou should pick vs Newcastle

Premier League clubs agree to major FFP change

The other spot is likely to be awarded to either Germany or England. The Bundesliga