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‘I could have hooked 90% of the team at half-time’ – Marseille head coach Habib Beye fumes after 3-0 away loss to FC Nantes
Marseille coach Habib Beye fuming after 3-0 defeat to Nantes
Yahoo Sports1 min read
SoccerFeature
Brentford flying - but will sixth be good enough for Champions League?
TL;DR
Brentford is unexpectedly sixth in the Premier League, on the verge of Champions League qualification. Despite losing key players, they are having one of their best seasons with three games remaining.
Key points
- Brentford is sixth in the Premier League.
- They could qualify for the Champions League.
- The team lost key players over the summer.
- Brentford is having one of their best seasons.
- Only four points separate them from Sunderland.
BrentfordSunderland
Many predicted Brentford to go down. Instead they are on the cusp of European qualification.
Over the summer Brentford lost their manager, captain and star forward.
But who needs Thomas Frank, Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo when you have Keith Andrews, Igor Thiago and Dango Ouattara?
The Bees are having one of their best seasons and, with three games to go, are sixth in the Premier League, a spot which could earn them a place in the Champions League.
While the top five looks set, only four points separate Brentford and 12th-placed Sunderland.
It looks like there will be more drama between now and the end of the season.
How sixth could reach the Champions League
A very specific permutation would allow Brentford - or whoever grabs sixth spot - to sneak into Europe's premier competition rather than the Europa League.
The Premier League secured an extra Champions League place in April, meaning the top five will qualify for the league stage of next year's competition.
Sixth would also get a team into next season's Champions League if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth in the Premier League.
Because of the order in which Champions League berths are decided - European titles are allocated before the Premier League's additional spot - sixth will not be good enough for the Champions League if Villa win the Europa League and finish in the top four.
Instead, Villa will qualify via their league position and the place reserved for the Europa League winners will pass to the league champions in qualifying with the best Uefa coefficient.
That could be Rangers if they win the Scottish Premiership.
Brentford fans should keep an eye on Villa's Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
Villa lost the first leg 1-0 but are at home for the second leg on Thursday.
The winners will face Braga or Freiburg in the final on 20 May.
Q&A
What position is Brentford currently in the Premier League?
Brentford is currently sixth in the Premier League.
Can Brentford qualify for the Champions League this season?
Yes, if they maintain their sixth position, they could qualify for the Champions League.
Who did Brentford lose over the summer?
Brentford lost their manager, captain, and star forward during the summer.
How many points separate Brentford from Sunderland?
There are only four points separating Brentford from 12th-placed Sunderland.
