"UEFA Europa League (UEL) qualification
In normal circumstances, two UEL places are given to English clubs who fulfil the following criteria:
a) If the FA Cup winners finish in the top five of the Premier League, their UEL group stage place will go to the next-highest ranked team not qualified for UEFA competitions in the Premier League.
b) If the EFL Cup winners finish in the top five of the Premier League (or top six if (a) happens), their UECL playoff place will go to the next-highest ranked team not qualified for UEFA competitions in the Premier League."
So - I think this means the UEL places (5th and 6th) go straight into the group stages.
In normal circumstances, two UEL places are given to English clubs who fulfil the following criteria:
- The fifth-placed team in the Premier League qualify for the group stage proper.
- The winners of the FA Cup qualify for the group stage proper.
- The EFL Cup winners qualify for the playoff stages
a) If the FA Cup winners finish in the top five of the Premier League, their UEL group stage place will go to the next-highest ranked team not qualified for UEFA competitions in the Premier League.
b) If the EFL Cup winners finish in the top five of the Premier League (or top six if (a) happens), their UECL playoff place will go to the next-highest ranked team not qualified for UEFA competitions in the Premier League."
So - I think this means the UEL places (5th and 6th) go straight into the group stages.