The race for European football next season goes down to the wire, with plenty still to play for on the final day of the season. - © DFL

bundesliga

Bundesliga 2019/20 European qualification: final day permutations

20.06.2020

Bayern Munich have claimed an unprecedented eighth successive Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig joining them in the UEFA Champions League, but the race for the other European qualification berths goes down to the wire.

bundesliga.com assesses the chances of those pursuing their dream of continental competition in 2020/21...

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Position: 4th (Champions League group stage)
Points: 62 (+25)
Remaining fixture: Hertha (h)

After beating Padeborn to leapfrog Bayer Leverkusen back into fourth on Matchday 33, the Foals go into their final-day clash against Hertha Berlin with their destiny in their own hands.

Considering their far superior goal difference over fifth-placed Leverkusen, their two-point advantage means that even a draw on the final day of the season would secure their place in the Champions League for the first time since 2016.

Marco Rose is hoping to steer Gladbach to their first top-four finish since 2015/16. - Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images

Bayer Leverkusen

Position: 5th (Europa League group stage)
Points: 60 (+16)
Remaining fixture: Mainz (h)

After claiming Rhine derby honours against mid-table Cologne on Matchday 32, Leverkusen edged ahead of Gladbach in the race for a top-four finish, but they relinquished their advantage just a week later by going down 2-0 at Hertha Berlin.

Gladbach's 3-1 win at Paderborn saw them move two points clear of Peter Bosz's men, meaning Leverkusen must beat Mainz - who secured safety on Matchday 33 - and hope Hertha do them a favour by beating The Foals on the final day, if they are to snatch fourth place back again.

Kevin Volland has recovered from injury to help Peter Bosz’s Leverkusen side push for Champions League qualification. - 2019 Getty Images

Wolfsburg

Position: 6th (Europa League group stage)
Points: 49 (+6)
Remaining fixtures: Bayern (h)

The 2008/09 Bundesliga champions head into the final weekend with a place in the Europa League wrapped up, albeit with uncertainty still surrounding when they will enter the competition.

Thanks to the outstanding form of Wout Weghorst, the Wolves have kept Hoffenheim at arm's length in the pursuit of sixth, which guarantees a group stage berth. However, they face the champions Bayern Munich on the final day of the season and know that only by either matching or bettering Hoffenheim's result from their trip to Borussia Dortmund, will they hold on to sixth.

With five goals in four games, Wout Weghorst has helped Wolfsburg secure Europa League football next season, but will they start in the 2nd qualifying round or go straight into the group stage? - WOLFGANG RATTAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Hoffenheim

Position: 7th (Europa League second qualifying round)
Points: 49 (-4)
Remaining fixtures: Dortmund (a)

Hoffenheim's 4-0 win over Union Berlin on Matchday 33, combined with Freiburg's 3-1 loss at Bayern Munich, ensured the Sinsheimers a top-seven finish this season.

They travel to Dortmund on the final day of the season needing to better Wolfsburg's result against Bayern Munich to snatch sixth and a group stage berth, otherwise it will be an early start to the new season with a second qualifying round tie on 17 September, followed by the third round (24 September) and a play-off (1 October) to reach the group stage.

Can top scorer Andrej Kramaric help Hoffenheim avoid an early start to next season, or will he be champing at the bit (rather than his shirt) in Europa League qualifying in September? - imago images/Michael Weber