Liverpool, having already secured the title, and Arsenal, likely to finish as runners-up, have confirmed their places in next season’s Champions League ahead of the final matchday. ..Continue Reading
Newcastle United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest are all still in contention for a place in Europe’s elite competition.
Newcastle, currently third, missed the chance to cement their Champions League qualification and overtake Arsenal after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
However, a victory at home against Everton next weekend would guarantee Newcastle’s return to the Champions League in the same season they ended their lengthy trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea, sitting fourth, will travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest in a decisive fixture that could shape the top-five race.
The Blues claimed a crucial victory against struggling Manchester United on Friday, while Forest strengthened their European hopes by overcoming West Ham later in the weekend.
Aston Villa, who comfortably dispatched Tottenham in their previous game, will face United on the final day, with manager Unai Emery eager to deliver Champions League football to Villa Park.
Meanwhile, Manchester City, currently outside the top five, still have a game in hand over their rivals and will take on Bournemouth on Tuesday before meeting Fulham on Sunday.
Despite their FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, Neville believes Pep Guardiola’s side will bounce back and secure Champions League qualification.
Premier League top-five battle
Current table
Liverpool | 83 points (two games remaining)
Arsenal | 71
Newcastle United | 66
Chelsea | 66
Aston Villa | 66
Manchester City | 65 (two games remaining)
Nottingham Forest | 65
Gary Neville’s top-five prediction
Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City, Aston Villa
The former England defender also believes Newcastle and Aston Villa will finish in the top-five, tipping Chelsea and Nottingham Forest for Champions League heartbreak.
‘That was a really important win for Nottingham Forest,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast after Sunday’s Premier League matches.
‘They’re still up against it a little bit and they’ve got a big game coming up next weekend. Obviously Man City still have two games but they’re two difficult games actually.
‘Bournemouth are a tasty opposition and then they’ve got Fulham on the final day. City will be flat after losing the cup final. They need to get themselves back up for those games and finish the job off.
‘There’s a lot to play for in the next week and a lot of money at stake.
‘At the moment I think Man City will just get in there, I think Newcastle will get in there and I think Aston Villa might just sneak in.
‘I think Forest might just hamper Chelsea next weekend and Aston Villa should win at Old Trafford, everyone is beating Man United at the minute.’
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