UCL: How Iwobi, Bassey can play in next season's Champions League

Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey have been pivotal components of Fulham's Premier League season, featuring 31 and 29 times, respectively.

Both were part of the Cottagers’ team that inflicted Liverpool's first away defeat of the 2024-25 season, with Iwobi scoring one of the London club’s three goals in a 3-2 success at Craven Cottage. 

Sunday’s strike brought the former Arsenal man to eight league goals this term and 30 overall in his Premier League career. 

Adding his career assists in the competition (34), the 28-year-old became the first Nigerian to achieve the milestone of 30 goals and 30 assists or higher in the history of the top flight. 

By defeating the league-leading outfit, Fulham moved to eighth in the Premier League with 48 points and seven games to play. 

Fifth place is expected to secure Champions League involvement next season, and Marco Silva's men currently sit five points adrift of Newcastle United (53), who are level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. 

Eddie Howe's team also have an outstanding game, which could take them into fourth, potentially seeing Chelsea drop to fifth.

Although Fulham are playing catch-up, the Cottagers have fixtures against Enzo Maresca's team (53 points) and Manchester City (52) to come, both of whom are above them in the standings, along with a trip to seventh-placed Aston Villa (51). 

Competing in next season's Champions League would require results to go their way, but Silva's team could have an outside chance of European participation if they cannot attain qualification for the continent's premier club competition. 

Fifth place ideally should secure a Europa League spot, but that position is likely to be claimed by the sixth-placed team, as the Premier League is expected to claim an additional Champions League place. The second Europa League slot would then go to the FA Cup winners. 

Furthermore, as many as 11 Premier League sides could feature in European competition next season, though that outcome is contingent on a plethora of conditions. 

While Fulham are outsiders for Champions League qualification, the Cottagers have placed themselves in contention for a European berth; Silva will hope his squad end the season strongly to return to continental football after a 14-year absence. 

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Fulham will travel to Bournemouth on Monday, April 14, for their next Premier League fixture.