It may not be in Brentford’s best interest to beat Liverpool on the final day of Premier League action next month, if the Bees wish to secure Champions League football.
That's right: Brentford could want or even actively try to lose against Liverpool in the final Premier League gameweek, with a sixth-placed Champions League spot potentially up for grabs.
That spot will only be activated if Liverpool finish the season in a position higher than Aston Villa, meaning Brentford could want Liverpool to take three points from them.
Why might Brentford want to lose against Liverpool?
If Aston Villa win the Europa League, which appears increasingly likely as current semi-finalists, then a Champions League spot could be given to sixth position in the Premier League table.
The Premier League was recently awarded with five Champions League spots – positions one to five – for outstanding European performance, but Villa could gain automatic qualification with a trophy lift in the Europa League.
If Villa finish fourth and win the competition, then the spot will drop down to the next position, fifth-placed, which is already a Champions League spot.
However, if Villa finish fifth, the spot will drop down to a non-Champions League position in sixth, which Brentford are currently two points removed from occupying with four games left to play.
Therefore, come the Premier League season’s final day, it is conceivable that Brentford will be in sixth position, requiring Liverpool to win and finish above Aston Villa, meaning they secure a place in the 2026/27 Champions League.
Of course, this situation – like FourFourTwo’s breakdown of how NINE Premier League teams could qualify for European football next season – hinges on a lot of variables.
Firstly, the outcome of the Europa League final will be undecided at the time of the Liverpool vs Brentford match – although, the Bees will know if Aston Villa have made it there – and there would have to be a gap of above three points between sixth and fifth to ensure that Brentford were unable to secure a Champions League spot of their own volition.
Similarly, there would also need to be a gap between Brentford in sixth and the next team in seventh of over three points, so that their Premier League table position is already pre-determined come the final day.
However, if this all occurs, it is certain that Brentford fans far and wide would be hoping for their team to roll over for Liverpool, ensuring a fifth-placed Villa finish.
The Bees return to Premier League action this weekend against relegation-threatened West Ham.
