Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League have been given a much-needed boost.

The Blues have slipped to sixth place in the Premier League after an alarming dip in form under Enzo Maresca.

A run of just two wins in nine matches stretching back to just before Christmas has left Chelsea in a scrap with as many as eight teams fighting for Champions League qualification.

But their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season have been given a major boost this week.

After the Champions League play-off round, the Premier League is in a strong place to secure an extra place in the Champions League after a nightmare week for Serie A clubs.

Two leagues will be rewarded with an extra place in next season's Champions League based on performances in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League this season. The two leagues with the best average coefficient scores get an extra place.

The Premier League is top of the coefficient table on 20.892 points, with La Liga second on 18.535 points.

Serie A is third on 17.812 points but, after AC Milan, Atalanta and Juventus were all knocked out in the Champions League play-off round, Italian clubs will struggle to catch the Premier League.

Arsenal and Liverpool are still in the Champions League, Tottenham and Mancehster United are still in the Europa League and Chelsea are in the Conference League, with all five clubs expected to go deep in their respective tournaments.

An extra spot for the Premier League would mean the top five would qualify for the Champions League, which is good news for Chelsea.

Coefficient table

1. England, 20.892

2. Spain, 18.535

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3. Italy, 17.812

4. Portugal, 16.050

5. Germany, 16.046

6. France, 14.857

7. Belgium, 14.250

8. Netherlands, 14.250

9. Greece, 11.062

10. Sweden, 10.125