UEFA give Newcastle United huge Champions League qualification advantage
Manchester City must qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds via a two-legged play-off - with Newcastle United’s trip to the Etihad sandwiched in between.
Toon supporters would have assumed a title race was on the cards if, in pre-season, they knew the Magpies would be level on points with City by January. However, the champions have slipped dramatically, with hopes of winning five Premier Leagues on the bounce all but gone.
Pep Guardiola’s men are instead tussling with Newcastle for a Champions League spot. As it stands, the Magpies trail Man City on goal difference but fifth place may be enough for a seat at UEFA’s top table.
England currently sits top of the coefficient rankings, introduced at the start of last season ahead of the Champions League rebrand. Two nations will receive an extra club into the competition but poor performances last year saw the Premier League miss out.
However, England have already surpassed the coefficient score achieved last season and sit 14 points ahead of Italy, who are second. The new format has created a scenario where Premier League supporters are rooting for historic rivals in European competition.
Newcastle will be hoping Man City progress from their play-off round - which will be against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. The two-legged fixture will take place in the midweek before and after the Magpies visit the Etihad on February 15.
Eddie Howe will be hoping to use that as an advantage against a side not in their best form this season. Guardiola appeared relieved to make the cut following City’s comeback win against Club Brugge last night.
"We did it,” he said post-match. “Now it's time to enjoy it, because it's been a really tough season in the Champions League.
"We arrive in the last stages every season in the last (few) years. This season, because of the problems that we had, we struggle a lot. But finally, we could qualify. The draw is the draw, and we will see."