Premier League secure four Champions League spots for 2017-2018

 Arsenal may have been sent crashing out of the Champions League by Barcelona on Wednesday night but there was at least some good news for English clubs.

The Premier League will definitely retain their four qualification places for Europe's top club competition for the 2017-18 season.

Juventus' last-16 exit at the hands of Bayern Munich make it mathematically impossible for Italy to usurp England in the UEFA coefficient rankings. Continue

The Premier League's fourth Champions League spot had been under threat at the start of the season with English clubs struggling in Europe in recent seasons.

Lazio, who will be hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday, remain the only Serie A club still involved in European competition.

UEFA Coefficient Ranking

1. Spain – 98.856 points

2. Germany – 77.749 points

3. England – 74.284 points

4. Italy – 70.439 points

 England meanwhile, are represented in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Manchester City and Liverpool will likely advance to the same stage of the Europa League at the expense of Manchester United.

If they win the Europa League, Lazio can add a maximum of 2.5 coefficient points but with England already 3.97 ahead the Premier League's fourth Champions League place is already guaranteed.

Sampdoria's elimination from the Europa League at the qualifying stage was a huge blow to Italy's chances of overtaking England while Tottenham knocking out Fiorentina in the last 32 put hampered their efforts further. 

Italy will have a better chance of climbing above England in the rankings next season, however, with Premier League sides losing their points accumulated in the 2011-12 season.

Points are tallied up over the course of five seasons meaning the 2011-12 campaign, when England scored almost four points more than Italy, will be lost.