Man City set to have major impact on Newcastle United’s 2024/25 season

The race for Europe is fairly simple. The top four will qualify for the Champions League, fifth and sixth will make the Europa League and seven will compete in the 2024/25 Europa Conference League.

As four English clubs exited Europe last week, the latest UEFA coefficient rankings see Italy and Germany at the top and on course for an extra spot in the Champions League. This doesn’t impact Newcastle, who were never likely to finish fifth, but there is a scenario that sees sixth place – currently Newcastle – miss out on the Europa League.

Should Man Utd beat Man City in the final of the FA Cup on Saturday 25th May, the Red Devils will beat us to a place in the Europa League, even if we finish sixth and above them in the Premier League.

From a Newcastle perspective, we need Pep Guardiola’s City to see off Erik ten Hag’s Reds. As the rules state, if the winners of the FA Cup finish in the top five of the Premier League – qualifying for the Champions League or Europa League through their league position – their Europa League spot will be passed down to the team in sixth.

This made Man City’s semi-final win over Chelsea all the more important on Saturday, as a Chelsea vs Man Utd final would’ve almost certainly seen sixth place miss out on the Europa League, with the second spot for that competition going to the FA Cup winners.

So, while we have our own business to take care of, starting at Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, it’s important to remember that sixth place only means Europa League football if Man City beat Man Utd in next month’s final.