Champions League

West Ham are in a top four battle in the Premier League and alive the knockout stage of the Europa League - how likely is it that they will qualify for next ...

In their recent history, the club has reached the qualification rounds of the Europa League in 2015 and 2016, but failed to reach the group stages on both occasions. The upcoming schedule could leave West Ham to control its own destiny, with both Chelsea and Arsenal on the list. They triumphed at Wembley beating 1860 Munich 2-0 at Wembley. It seems the odds are against the East London club. There are two avenues for West Ham to qualify for the Champions League next season: either by finishing in the top four of the Premier League, or by winning the Europa League title outright. West Ham United have seen a resurgence in recent seasons, as the side has transformed from a team languishing in the bottom half of the table to a side capable of securing Champions League football.

Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a commanding 3-0 victory in their final CAF Champions League group stage match against Al-Merrikh on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse was called into a rare bit of action in the closing stages when he made a good save to deny Elsamani Saadeldin in the bottom left corner to keep the clean sheet intact. Ralani was having a stormer and turned provider in the 72nd minute when he teed up Kermit Erasmus, who rifled a fantastic volley into the roof of the net. That goal was a confidence-booster for Maluleka as he had a go with a free-kick attempt from the right and it went just over the crossbar.

Real Betis has routed Osasuna 4-1 to stay within range of the final Champions League place in the Spanish league.

Thiago Alcantara has been a shining light for Liverpool this term and his Champions League situation looks very different 12 months on.

Liverpool have lost just once - and that was a 1-0 defeat at home to Inter Milan in the Champions League round of 16 second leg last month that made no difference to progress in the competition. And it's telling that of the eight Premier League games Liverpool have failed to win this season, the Spaniard was absent for six of them. And Thiago is clearly in the mood to help Liverpool this week edge nearer a potential reunion with his former colleagues. But as, 12 months on, Liverpool prepare once again for a last-eight tie in Europe's premier cup competition, it would be a major surprise if Thiago is not among the first names on Jurgen Klopp's teamsheet for Tuesday's first leg against Benfica in Portugal. Long banished have been any doubts over whether the former Barcelona graduate would be able to perform in a Klopp midfield, his performances in the closing weeks of last season ensuring Liverpool were able to return to the Champions League with an impressive third-placed Premier League finish. And, in Saturday's hard-earned victory over Watford, Thiago provided a latest showcase of why he is, when available, such an important cog of the engine room with the Reds continuing to chase down an unprecedented quadruple. A Champions League quarter-final first leg at Real Madrid should have been the ideal stage for the Spaniard to strut his stuff in his native country against familiar opposition.

Changes to the Champions League are set to reward the FA Cup winners should they miss out on the top four - but only if they have a strong UEFA co-efficient ...

The Hammers, whilst not in the FA Cup, are pushing for a Champions League place once more. It had originally been a sticking point with UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) due to its lack of meritocracy. The new rules come as the tournament gears up for a rejig in 2024.

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE spot has usually gone to the fourth-placed Premier League team.

Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a commanding 3-0 victory in their final CAF Champions League group stage match against Al-Merrikh on Saturday.

Lebohang Maboe almost made it four when he curled a fine free-kick over the wall and it went just wide of the left post. That goal was a confidence-booster for Maluleka as he had a go with a free-kick attempt from the right, and it went just over the bar. Ralani was having a stormer and turned provider in the 72nd minute when he teed up Kermit Erasmus, who rifled a fantastic volley into the roof of the net.

The winners of the FA Cup could qualify for the Champions League from 2024 under new rules – but only if the club has a high co-efficient.

Arsenal would, however, have qualified in the 2019/20 season after winning the FA Cup. The European Club Association had hoped UEFA would ditch their plans to create a safety net for big clubs should they fail to qualify for the Champions League under the current conditions, but they have only offered a compromise. But Crystal Palace, who have no co-efficient ranking having not competed in Europe recently, would not be granted the Champions League berth if they won the FA Cup.

Mamelodi Sundowns have revealed their starting XI to face Al Merrikh for a Saturday Caf Champions League group game.

Mamelodi Sundowns successfully finished their Caf Champions League group stage campaign unbeaten after they defeated Al-Merrikh of Sudan by 3-0 at FNB ...

Rushine de Reuck, who only returned to the country on Thursday morning from France with Bafana Bafana, started the match on Saturday. The two teams played to a goalless draw when Merrikh hosted the SA team in February. Before Saturday's game, Merrikh was the only team in the group that had managed to avoid a defeat to Sundowns.

UEFA's proposed Champions League plans could see FA Cup winners automatically qualifying for the competition.

If the Gunners finish in the top four in the future, then their Champions League status would have already been secured. "We have to be there, we should be there," he said. Arsenal, on the other hand, would have been eligible after winning the competition in 2020.

Mamelodi Sundowns' bid to end their Caf Champions League group stages campaign on a high note is being frustrated by several injuries in their camp.

Thapelo (Morena) got injured in Sudan and he is still not yet back. “Rivaldo (Coetzee) is still injured. The coach said to cope with all the injuries they might have to consider some of the players who were with Bafana in France and only returned to the country on Thursday.

Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a commanding 3-0 victory in their final CAF Champions League group stage match against Al-Merrikh on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse was called into a rare bit of action in the closing stages when he made a good save to deny Elsamani Saadeldin in the bottom left corner to keep the clean sheet intact. Ralani was having a stormer and turned provider in the 72nd minute when he teed up Kermit Erasmus, who rifled a fantastic volley into the roof of the net. That goal was a confidence-booster for Maluleka as he had a go with a free-kick attempt from the right and it went just over the crossbar.

Johannesburg - AmaZulu FC began life without Benni McCarthy with a Caf Champions League dead rubber against Horoya at the General Lansana Conté stadium in ...

Manousakis said: “Obviously we are not happy with the result because we came here to win the game, and we create probably the best chance to win the game and we couldn't."We had a lot of challenges coming into this game. Usuthu currently are just outside the top eight in ninth position in the league, six points away from third-placed Kaizer Chiefs, even though the latter have three games in hand.Manousakis revealed that the club understands the reality of the situation they find themselves in and will give it their all for the remaining games of the season. Usuthu had a fairly decent maiden campaign in the Champions League but a calamitous breakdown at home against ES Setif, and thereafter Raja Casablanca proved to be vital a blow to their knockout round aspirations.

Mamelodi Sundowns wrapped up a successful Caf Champions League group stage campaign with a win over Al Merrikh on Saturday.

The Kimberly-born star set up second-half substitute Erasmus, who controlled the ball brilliantly before volleyed it home in the 72nd minute to seal Sundowns' 3-0 win and Elsamani Saadeldin tried to grab a late consolation goal for the Red Devils, but he was superbly denied by Pieterse. While Al Merrikh were hoping to end an unsuccessful group stage campaign with a win as their hopes of reaching the knockout phase were ended by reigning African champions Al Ahly on March 19. Ralani dribbled past his marker, but Mustafa denied the skilful winger from close range and the Al Merrikh shot-stopper also came out to gather a through ball which was meant for Haashim Domingo. Sundowns were only leading by one goal at half-time despite having dominated the first half.

Mamelodi Sundowns successfully finished their Caf Champions League group stage campaign unbeaten after they defeated Al-Merrikh of Sudan by 3-0 at FNB ...

Rushine de Reuck, who only returned to the country on Thursday morning from France with Bafana Bafana, started the match on Saturday. The two teams played to a goalless draw when Merrikh hosted the SA team in February. Before Saturday's game, Merrikh was the only team in the group that had managed to avoid a defeat to Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns' bid to end their Caf Champions League group stages campaign on a high note is being frustrated by several injuries in their camp.

Thapelo (Morena) got injured in Sudan and he is still not yet back. “Rivaldo (Coetzee) is still injured. The coach said to cope with all the injuries they might have to consider some of the players who were with Bafana in France and only returned to the country on Thursday.