The victories of Utrecht (0-2 at Zrinjski Mostar) and AZ (0-2 at Levski Sofia) yield the Netherlands together 0.333 points. However, that maximum score is lower than what Portugal and Belgium could achieve this week. They each had three clubs that came into action, where the Netherlands missed a third representative due to the elimination of Feyenoord in the preliminary round of the Champions League last week.
FC Utrecht creates great starting position to reach the Europa League group stage
Portuguese clubs
Portugal saw Benfica linked to Fenerbahçe in the preliminary round of the Champions League, next week the return is in Lisbon. SC Braga won Red Imps (0-3) at Lincoln and seems to be on the way to the Europa League.
AZ with one leg in Conference League thanks to fine victory in Bulgaria
The good news came from the Santa Clara – Shamrock Rovers match. The Irish won 1-2 and can ensure that Santa Clara is eliminated in Europe next week, so that the League Sagres then has four more representatives. Portugal scored 0.300 points this week. For example, the Netherlands is marginal in the battle for place 6, which entitles you to two direct Champions League tickets.
Belgian clubs
On behalf of the Belgians, Club Brugge took a big step towards the Champions League through a 1-3 victory over Rangers FC. Just like Benfica, the Belgians can earn four bonus points by reaching the competition phase of the Champions League.
AA Gent won 1-5 against Lech Poznan and seems to have obtained a Europa League ticket, but RSC Anderlecht got no further than 1-1 against AEK Athens at home. If the Greeks finish the job in -house next week, Anderlecht will be ready in a European context and Belgium has only three clubs left to score points. Belgium takes 0.500 point this week and therefore runs into the Netherlands.
UEFA coefficient ranking
6. The Netherlands – 61,616
7. Portugal – 55,766
8. Belgium – 53,550
The battle for place six is especially interesting towards next season. Then 2021/2022 disappears from the coeffcient ranking. That season, five Dutch clubs survived the winter break in a European context and even made Feyenoord the final of the Conference League.