Which countries are set to win extra Champions League places?

England and Spain are currently in line to win the two extra Champions League places on offer for next season's competition.

Uefa has handed an extra qualifying place to each of the two best-performing nations in the previous season since the start of the 2024-25 season when the Champions League's expanded to 36 teams.

Using Uefa's association rankings - in which points are earned by winning and drawing matches in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League - the two nations with the highest points get given a direct qualification each for the following season's Champions League.

Throughout the season, teams earn two points for every win and one for a draw across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. There are also bonus points on offer for every round reached across the three competitions, although more points are given to teams competing in the Champions League than in the other competitions.

In the qualification rounds, these points are halved.

Points earned are then divided by how many teams from that country entered European competitions at the start of the season.

In the 2025-26 season, England have nine teams competing in Europe. That means all points are divided by nine.

For this season, England and Spain were given one extra spot each as they were the two best-performing nations across the 2024-25 campaign. That meant entry to the Champions League was given to Newcastle and Athletic Club.

For the 2024-25 season, Italy and Germany were given the two places, known as European Performances Spots (EPS). Bologna and Borussia Dortmund were the teams granted entry.

England suffered a significant blow in their pursuit for an extra Champions League spot this week, but still hold a healthy lead at the top of the table.

While Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City all suffered last-16 first leg defeats, Newcastle and Arsenal did earn some points as the duo both earned 1-1 draws.

Spain climbed up to second across Tuesday and Wednesday following wins for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, as well as a draw for Barcelona.

Germany have dropped one place to third, with Bayer Munich winning and Bayer Leverkusen drawing.

Atalanta are Italy's only Champions League club, but failed to add points with a 6-1 loss to Bayern. Like Portugal, whose only club Sporting also lost, Italy remain unmoved in the table.

France climbed up one place to sixth following a 5-2 win for Paris St-Germain over Chelsea, dropping Poland down to seventh.

Greece, Cyprus and Denmark all do not have clubs in the Champions League, keeping them unmoved in the top 10.

Current top 10 in race for 2026-27 EPS spots:

Thanks to Nige in Morpeth for the question.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.