City have fair chance of European place

Manchester City are on course to earn a surprise place in the UEFA Cup next season.

England are leading UEFA’s Fair Play League at the halfway stage, and if they hold on to top spot then the Premier League will receive a bonus place in Europe.

Manchester United are currently top of the Premier League’s Fair Play table, followed by Newcastle and Liverpool. But all three of those clubs look set to qualify for Europe automatically, which means the fair play spot would go to the team in fourth – and that is Kevin Keegan’s City.

The last time City competed in the UEFA Cup was in the 1978-79 season, and if they continue with their good disciplinary record and England holds off nearest rivals Sweden and Poland in the Fair Play League, then European football will be played at the new City of Manchester Stadium when the club move in next season.

If English football picks up the extra place, it means the Premier League will have eight teams involved in European competition – four in each of the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.