Should Chelsea go on to win the Champions League and one of Arsenal, Tottenham or Newcastle finish fourth in the Premier League, then that position becomes a Europa League spot as the Blues would gain an automatic place back in Europe's premier competition as holders.
But Chelsea, as we all know, are hitting form again with their new boss and could very well make it into the top four without any help from EUFA rules.
Alan Pardew: "Chelsea haven't won it yet.
"But it makes it very interesting that third place, doesn't it?
"If Arsenal and Tottenham get very nervous, that's a good thing.
"I'll choke on my beer if Chelsea win the Champions League and we finish fourth, for sure. But the rules are the rules.
"I really think we'll achieve something special if we finish fifth or sixth.
"Any higher than that would be astounding really but I think we've got a real chance.
"The Champions League is something that really we shouldn't be competing for, but we are, and we are going to go for that as best we can.
"We are batting well above our level in terms of the teams and the salaries and transfer fees that these other clubs have paid.
"We shouldn't even be anywhere near them but a couple of the other sides have got a bit edgy. We haven't shown any signs of that - and hopefully we won't.
"What I do know is this European qualification is about as complicated as it gets. We need Carol Vorderman to work it out."