'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABhAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwgQAAIBBAMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBQYREiEHIwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwQRAAIBBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBSERI0H/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AM6fVNwOvb9d5GfG2uQub7GvCgnUMkUbHoWAYN+nnhqSQWeCuoY5zFMplRXKgDgdhzwPaUqnJKEvJyuuZGpMV22sKuAQIkI16RX/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Reigning two-time Premier League champions Manchester City are among the favorites to win this season's UEFA Champions League (UCL).
The Citizens are yet to lose in European competition this term and have made it into the semifinals, where they will take on Real Madrid. The first leg of the tie is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Many are backing City to get past Los Blancos and one of Inter Milan or AC Milan, who will contest the other semifinal, to finally break their UEFA Champions League jinx. However, their potential victory has raised another question.
Should Manchester City win this season's UCL, will the team that finishes fifth in the Premier League this term qualify for Europe's top-tier competition next season?
According to Metro, the answer is no. Only the teams that occupy the top four positions in the Premier League standings come the end of the campaign will qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The fifth-placed team will only qualify for the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League.
At the moment, Manchester City lead the English top flight and hold a one-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand. Newcastle United are third, while Manchester United are fourth. The Red Devils, however, are just a point clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, who have played a game more.
As things stand, City winning the UCL will lead to the winners of the Ukrainian Premier League sealing direct qualification into the group stages of next season's Champions League. Shakhtar Donetsk currently sit atop Ukraine's top flight with five matches still to play.
Manchester City hope to win UEFA Champions League tie against Real Madrid to keep treble hopes alive
Manchester City are currently the only team with a realistic chance to secure a treble this term. Real Madrid are on the verge of losing La Liga, while AC Milan and Inter Milan have already witnessed S.S.C. Napoli secure the Serie A title.
City, as previously mentioned, lead the Premier League standings. They will face Everton, Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in their final four matches. Pep Guardiola's side have also made it into next month's FA Cup final, where they will take on arch-rivals Manchester United.
For now, however, their focus is bound to be on the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid incredibly came back from the dead to eliminate Manchester City in last season's semifinals. The Citizens now have a chance to take revenge and continue their march towards a treble, starting with Tuesday night's clash in Madrid.
