There are just nine games to go in the Premier League season. After 29 matches, supporters of both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford will confess this season has been a success. However, things could get even better for both clubs. The two teams are still alive in the FA Cup and sit seventh and eighth in the table, respectively. With only a handful of games left to play, Premier League onlookers wonder whether Wolverhampton Wanderers or Watford can qualify for the Europa League?
Wolverhampton Wanderers or Watford
Wolverhampton and Watford are currently level on points (43). Wolves are just ahead of their rivals in seventh place due to a +2-goal difference.
Currently, the two clubs are 13 points behind sixth-place team Chelsea. Unless something dramatic occurs, it doesn’t look likely that either will reach the top six.
But that doesn’t mean neither Wolverhampton Wanderers nor Watford will qualify for Europe. Right now, there are two ways the clubs could make it into the Europa League.
FA Cup
The easiest way to qualify is to win the FA Cup. Both clubs are in the last eight and could reach the Wembley final in May.
On paper, Wolves have the more difficult quarterfinal tie against Manchester United. The good news for Wolves is the match will be played at Molineaux.
Watford will host Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road. The Hornets have played on the road in the competition in each round so far. Watford have already beaten Woking, Newcastle United, and Queens Park Rangers.
Premier League
Even if Wolves or Watford fail to win the FA Cup, one of the two clubs could still qualify for the Europa League via their league standing.
The Premier League is granted three Europa League places with the fifth-place finisher (currently Arsenal), the Carabao Cup winner (Manchester City), and the FA cup winner all receiving a place in the competition.
Due to Manchester City winning the Carabao Cup and on target to finish in the top five, their Europa League place drops to the sixth-place team (currently Chelsea).
If Manchester City or Manchester United win the FA Cup and remain in the top five, then the Europa League spot given to the winner will drop to the Premier League’s seventh-place team (currently Wolves).
Last season, Burnley reached the Europa League second qualify round due to Manchester City winning the Carabao Cup and Chelsea winning the FA Cup.
Either Wolverhampton Wanderers or Watford could make the Europa League via the league route. But if they are knocked out of the FA Cup, they must hope Manchester City or Manchester United win the competition.
There is still a lot to play for and both clubs need to keep winning to remain in seventh place.