Six Premier League teams prove the Champions League is easier to play; five teams directly advance to the round of 16, one team seeded in the playoff round.

Is the Premier League the top league? With the Champions League in recent years, most fans and media have come to see the Premier League as the leading league, which is undeniable. The key factor is financial strength; the Premier League earns significantly more from broadcasting rights, allowing even teams fighting relegation to have buying power similar to championship contenders from other leagues. The Premier League also remains the most coveted league for top players. Year after year, Premier League clubs earn more money and invest in stronger players, gradually enhancing their squads. This progression has made many English clubs feel that the Champions League is easier to compete in than their domestic league, a fact confirmed by the six Premier League teams participating in this season’s Champions League.

• The Premier League leaderArsenal: I have gone three Premier League matches without a win, but I’m excelling in the Champions League with eight straight wins, the only team undefeated this season, topping the group and directly advancing to the round of 16. The Champions League is easier to play.
• The Premier League sixth placeLiverpool: I have not won in five Premier League matches recently, with one loss and four draws, earning only 4 points, yet I’m thriving in the Champions League, ranking third and directly qualifying for the round of 16. The Champions League is easier to play.
• The Premier League fourteenth placeTottenham Hotspur: I have been winless in the last five Premier League matches and am in the lower half of the table, but I’m performing strongly in the Champions League, having defeated top Bundesliga teams (Dortmund and Frankfurt), ranking fourth and directly qualifying for the round of 16. The Champions League is easier to play.
• The Premier League fifth placeChelsea: I need to fight hard for fifth place in the Premier League, but I’m advancing confidently in the Champions League, ranked sixth and directly qualifying for the round of 16. The Champions League is easier to play.
• The Premier League second placeManchester City: I have only one win in the last five Premier League matches, but I’m ranked eighth in the Champions League and directly advancing to the round of 16. The Champions League is easier to play.

After eight rounds in the Champions League group stage, eight teams have qualified directly for the round of 16. The Premier League holds five of these spots, La Liga (Barcelona) and the Bundesliga (Bayern Munich) have one each, while Ligue 1 and Serie A have none. The last spot belongs to Portugal’s top club Sporting CP.

This season, six Premier League teams entered the Champions League, five qualified directly, and the only team not qualifying directly is the twelfth-placedNewcastle United. The Magpies drew 1-1 away against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final group stage match, with both teams missing direct qualification. According to the Champions League playoff draw rules, Newcastle’s two-legged playoff opponent will be either Monaco or Qarabag. Given Newcastle’s current strength, they have a strong chance of reaching the Champions League round of 16. Newcastle ranks ninth in the Premier League and has also gone two matches without a win recently, but their Champions League performance remains strong. For Newcastle, the Champions League is definitely easier to play than the Premier League!