Liverpool vs Chelsea: Can Chelsea still qualify for the Champions League next season after a 1-1 draw?

Chelsea’s winless run in the Premier League continued on Saturday after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield Stadium.

The FIFA Club World Cup winner has not won their last seven matches in the English top flight and is in ninth place with 49 points. A win for tenth-placed Everton later in the week would see Chelsea drop another place.

Mathematically, Chelsea cannot finish in the top five of the Premier League. However, it can still reach the European top competition next season.

Chelsea’s fate rests with Aston Villa.

According to the European Performance Spot, England and Spain will have five teams in the Champions League.

However, if Villa win the Europa League, they will secure a place in the Champions League regardless of their league finish. With Villa currently in the top five, Unai Emery winning the Europa League will allow a sixth English side to qualify.

Therefore, if Villa wins the Europa League, Chelsea can qualify if they finish sixth in the competition. While still mathematically possible, even this scenario is unlikely as Chelsea need to win both remaining games and hope that other teams leading the way – Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion – make a mistake.

Published on May 9, 2026