Final bonus Champions League spot is awarded as shock club could miraculously make Europe's premier club competition for first time in 20 years

La Liga has been awarded a bonus spot for next season's Champions League, and a surprise club from the league could mark a shock return to Europe's most prestigious club competition after a prolonged absence.

The top four teams from Spain's top flight qualify for the Champions League group stage by default, but thanks to the European Performance Spot (EPS) system, introduced as a part of the revamped 36-team format, Real Betis have a real chance of returning to the Champions League for the first time since the 2005-06 season. To this day, it remains Los Verdiblancos' only appearance in the competition.

Betis are currently in sixth position in the league table, three points behind fifth-placed Villarreal, who have a game in hand. The Andalusian outfit could qualify for the Champions League if they manage to secure fifth place by the end of the campaign.

Apart from Spain, England's Premier League are the only other league to have been awarded with a bonus Champions League spot. Last season, it was Bologna from Serie A and Borussia Dortmund from the Bundesliga who made it to Europe via the bonus spots.

Betis have a real chance of qualifying for Champions League next season, and they will hope to build momentum in the final few weeks of the season by registering a win against Girona on Monday, April 21.