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As many as six or seven Premier League clubs could secure spots in next season's Champions League, with England now guaranteed at least five places in the league phase. Arsenal have already booked their berth and ensured England will receive a European Performance Spot (EPS) by defeating Sporting in the first leg of their quarter-final.

That victory in Lisbon confirmed UEFA will hand the Premier League an additional place in next year's league phase, benefitting from an EPS for the second successive season. Nevertheless, England could still have a maximum of seven sides in the Champions League next term - one more than the six that participated this season.

Alongside the standard four qualification spots, Newcastle United claimed an EPS place, while Tottenham Hotspur also secured entry as Europa League winners. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest could follow suit by lifting that trophy. Forest would become the sixth club to qualify by winning it, as - much like when Spurs triumphed 12 months ago - they are hovering perilously above the relegation zone.

Villa, however, could claim Europa League glory and still finish inside the top five as they currently sit fourth. Should they finish fifth, then sixth place would benefit from the EPS instead. Furthermore, an English club winning the Champions League could also influence the Premier League's allocation.

Liverpool claiming another European Cup while finishing fifth would similarly see sixth place qualify. However, should both Liverpool and Villa triumph in UEFA competitions this season, the seventh-placed team would become the EPS recipient.

Sixth position is due to secure Europa League qualification as it stands, with a Conference League berth awarded to seventh. Nevertheless, triumphs for Liverpool and Villa in Europe could boost numerous sides.

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A mere seven points separate Brentford in seventh and 14th-placed Crystal Palace, who additionally possess a match in hand over every side between them. Only goal difference divides the Bees from Everton, with Fulham a further two points behind.

Brighton & Hove Albion and Sunderland are only another point away, with Bournemouth and Newcastle United just four from seventh. Even if seventh place does not secure Champions League qualification, all those clubs will be targeting a spot in one of UEFA's competitions.

Further up the standings, Liverpool are fifth, five points behind Villa in fourth. Chelsea presently sit in sixth, a point below the Reds but merely two above Brentford.

All of those sides could fall out of the top seven, alongside Manchester United, across the remaining seven fixtures. Manchester City are the only club, apart from Arsenal, assured to feature in UEFA competition next season.