Five Dutch clubs play their final matches of the league phase in European competition this week and the games could prove decisive for the Netherlands’ position on the Uefa coefficient ranking.

The Netherlands is in danger of losing its sixth place on the coefficient list to Portugal which will have direct consequences for the number of European places available to Dutch clubs in 2027.

The Netherlands is still benefiting from an exceptionally strong coefficient season in 2021/22, when Feyenoord reached the Conference League final and Ajax won all their Champions League group matches.

However, that season is now about to drop out of the five-year calculation on which the coefficient ranking is based.

The coefficient list determines how many clubs each country may enter into European competitions. The higher a country ranks, the more places it receives. England, Spain, Germany and Italy each have four Champions League spots. The Netherlands currently has two direct Champions League tickets and one place in the qualifying rounds.

If the Netherlands drops to seventh, it will lose one direct Champions League spot and the total number of Dutch clubs playing European football would also fall from six to five.

At the start of this season, data models gave the Netherlands a 79% chance of holding on to sixth place. After weak performances by Dutch teams and strong results from Portuguese clubs, that probability has now fallen to just 5.5%, broadcaster NOS reported.

There is, however, still a slim chance of a turnaround this week. PSV play at home against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. Bayern are already assured of a top-eight finish, raising hopes in Eindhoven that the German side may rest key players, improving PSV’s chances of a win and progression.

Ajax host Olympiakos at the same time. Even with a victory, the Amsterdam side will not be guaranteed a place in the next round and will need other results to go their way. A defeat for Benfica by Real Madrid would help, as the Portuguese club is a direct competitor on the coefficient ranking.

Action this week

Dutch clubs in the Europa League are in action on Thursday. Feyenoord travel to Real Betis, who remain firmly in contention for a top-eight finish. Go Ahead Eagles face Sporting Braga and could boost both their own prospects and the Dutch coefficient with a win.

Even then, qualification remains unlikely. Data models give Feyenoord a 12.1% chance of reaching the next round, while Go Ahead Eagles stand at 3.8%.

FC Utrecht have an away match against Celtic. Utrecht are already out of the competition but a win would still boost the coefficient.

In the Conference League, AZ meet Noah of Armenia in the playoffs for a place in the knock out rounds on February 19.