Liverpool and Everton could be handed a boost in their bid to reach Europe next season following Easter Monday's FA Cup quarter-final.
With Chelsea due to host Manchester United in a replay at Stamford Bridge, victory for the Blues would put them in a semi-final tie with Manchester City.
But should Rafael Benitez's team go on to win the FA Cup and finish in fifth spot, the west London side would have qualified for the Europa League in two different ways.
In that event, the Blues would reach the tournament through their FA Cup win, with no UEFA rules stating that the domestic cup runners-up would take the vacated spot. That could open up a possible place for the sixth-placed Premier League side.
UEFA only state that the runners-up of the FA Cup are handed a European spot if the winners have already qualified for the Champions League.
Chelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League which would see them reach the Champions League next season, but with Tottenham and Arsenal narrowly ahead and behind respectively, one of the London rivals is set to miss out on Europe's premier club competition next term.
England's spots for the Europa League go to the FA Cup winners, League Cup winners and fifth place in the Premier League, meaning an extra spot in the league could open the door for Everton and Liverpool who are sat sixth and seventh in the table respectively.
Should Chelsea win the Europa League there are no additional places in the competition handed to the Premier League, even if the Blues finish fifth and win the FA Cup.
If Chelsea's only trophy win comes through the Europa League and they finish lower than fifth, they would defend their trophy and it wouldn't come at the expense of the contingent of the English clubs.
Source: Daily Mail
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