South West London has always been a hotbed for football in the UK. It’s produced great footballers like Declan Rice, Rio Ferdinand and Callum Hudson-Odoi. This year, its clubs might be on the verge of a historic achievement for the region.
For the first time in history, three clubs from the south and west of London could still mathematically all qualify for European football. In this case, it’s Chelsea, Fulham, and Brentford who are still in the running for European competition.
This is partly due to the European coefficient currently handing England an extra spot in the Champions League. The potential success of Liverpool in the Champions League, or any other Premier League team winning a European competition, could also add extra European places. Can all three teams make the cut?
Chelsea: A legacy of success, but no momentum
Chelsea are the most obvious option for European qualification. The team have won all three European competitions, including the Champions League twice, and lie 6th in the table.
Despite this, they have lost their last four games in all competitions, and the confidence of the players, the fans and even the manager seem to be hanging by a thread.
In February, Chelsea’s odds for a top 4 finish were even, but now it lies at 9/2, with Chelsea drifting towards the Europa league positions.
With the coefficient adding a 5th CL spot, their odds go up to 6/5. To get involved in betting on Chelsea or any club, check out the top betting sites in UK right now.
Brentford: The surprise European contenders
Many wrote Brentford off at the start of the season. They lost their long-term manager in Thomas Frank, and their two best players in Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.
Despite this, they sit in 7th place (as of the March international break) and have a genuine shot at major European competition.
New manager Keith Andrews has hit the ground running, and new stars have emerged like Igor Thiago and Michael Kayode.
Brentford have never played European football in their 134-year history, so any European games next season would be sure to delight the fans of West London.
Fulham: The outside shot
Fulham have quietly put together yet another quality season. With Marco Silva now in his fifth season at the club, and the team now in their fourth consecutive season in the league, Silva has built a team that is consistent, sturdy and tough to beat.
Silva’s team currently sits in 9th place, kept from European contention by Brentford and Everton.
Realistically, it requires a collapse from one of the teams currently in European places for Fulham to break in, but it would be a huge step for Fulham to return to European football, building on their rich history including the famous trip to the Europa League final in 2010.
Featured image: Abigail Keenan on Unsplash
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