NEWCASTLE United could move a giant step closer to European qualification this afternoon - without even kicking a ball.

While the Magpies are making a decent fist of securing European football through their efforts on the field, their prospects of a continental return will also be affected by today's FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Everton.

At the moment, the teams finishing in the top four places in the Premier League qualify for next season's Champions League, with only the team finishing fifth certain to compete in the Europa League.

Newcastle currently fill fifth position, but they are only two points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea and still have to visit Stamford Bridge in their final five games of the season.

However, if Liverpool win today's FA Cup semi-final and qualify for the final at Wembley, the team in sixth position will be guaranteed a Europa League spot provided Chelsea also finish in the top six if they make the final.

Liverpool have already qualified for Europe via the Carling Cup, so if they win this afternoon, Newcastle will need just four points from their final five matches to guarantee European football.

The situation becomes much more complicated if Everton win today's semi-final though, as David Moyes' side could qualify for the Europa League even if they were to go on to lose the FA Cup final.

In a scenario where both Liverpool and Everton qualified for Europe via the cup competitions, only a fifth-placed finish would be good enough to secure European football through the league.

"It would suit our European hopes if Liverpool won," said Magpies manager Alan Pardew. "Everton could get through to the final and I think the rule needs to be looked at because if we finish higher than them in the Premier League, that has to be better than the runners-up in the FA Cup qualifying for the Europa League.

"If Everton win the FA Cup, I'd say, 'Fair enough'. There would be one side of me quite pleased if we don't qualify for Europe, because it will mean we can attack next season without having the extra pressure of the Europa League.

"Having said that though, the other side of me would welcome it because it would take the club forward, bond some of the players to the club, and it would be an achievement of sorts. We could also perhaps add to the squad with the extra finance we'd get."

TODAY'S SEMI-FINAL PERMUTATIONS:

If Liverpool win:

The best result for Newcastle. Liverpool will play either Chelsea or Spurs in the final, and provided both of those sides finish in the top six (which is extremely likely), sixth place will be guaranteed a Europa League place. Newcastle need just four more points to be guaranteed to finish in the top six.

If Everton win and go on to win the final:

Bad news for Newcastle. Everton will gain an automatic Europa League spot, so the Magpies will have to finish fifth to qualify for Europe.

If Everton win and go on to lose the final to a side finishing in the top four:

Still bad news for Newcastle. Everton will qualify for the Europa League as losing FA Cup finalists and the Magpies will still have to finish fifth to qualify for Europe.

If Everton win and go on to lose the final to the side that finish fifth:

It's something of an anomaly, but this could work in Newcastle's favour. If Everton win this afternoon but then lose the final to either Chelsea or Spurs, and the FA Cup winners finish outside the Champions League places, the Toffees will not get a Europa League spot. In this scenario, the Magpies would qualify for Europe finishing sixth.