Gary Neville makes prediction on race for Champions League qualification – with big spending giants tipped to miss out
- Just eight points separates the sides from third to tenth in the Premier League
- Neville believes one side in the top five will struggle to hang on to their position
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Gary Neville has offered his prediction on a tightly contested race to qualify for the Champions League.
While league leaders Liverpool and Arsenal are looking assured of Champions League qualification next season, just eight points separates the sides between third and 10th in the Premier League.
Surprise package Nottingham Forest and Man City currently lie in third and fourth respectively on 47 and 44 points, while Newcastle are only behind the reigning champions on goal difference in fifth.
Fifth place could be enough to secure entry to the Champions League next year due to the performance of Premier League clubs this season across the three European club competitions.
Bournemouth, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton and Fulham will all have hopes of breaking into the top five, with the latter just five points from Newcastle despite being 10th.
Neville lauded Nottingham Forest’s achievement in the Premier League this season, but suggested Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could be reeled in by the chasing pack in the closing stages of the campaign.
Gary Neville has given his verdict on the sides chasing Champions League qualification
Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday to boost their Champions League hopes
Neville suggested Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could drop out of the Champions League spots
‘I think Nottingham Forest have been absolutely amazing, the story of the season, but they’ll find it hard to hang on,’ Neville said on the Gary Neville Podcast.
‘I hope they hang on in there but my feeling is it’s going to be tough for them to hang on in there.
‘I think City, Villa, Newcastle and Chelsea might just [pip Forest]. Yes, 12 games is a long way to go, but I still feel like it could be a long 12 games for Nottingham Forest.
‘I hope that they do stay there because that would be amazing for the Premier League.
‘We need to see clubs that have been at the bottom one season getting up into the top six and into the top four. That’s what we need, what the league needs.’
Forest have suffered back-to-back defeats in the top flight since their 7-0 thrashing of Brighton at the start of the month and now face crunch clashes against Arsenal and Man City.
Neville also suggested Chelsea’s pursuit of a return to the Champions League could be in the balance.
Enzo Marseca’s side have taken just nine points from their last 10 Premier League matches, a run which has seen the Blues go from outside contenders for the title to sliding to seventh in the table.
Manchester City have earned Neville’s backing for a spot despite their inconsistent form
Enzo Marseca’s Chelsea side have slipped to seventh after two wins in 10 league matches
The pundit also expects high-flying Bournemouth to miss out on a Champions League spot
Neville also expects high-flying Bournemouth to miss out, despite the Cherries having risen to sixth in the table following an impressive run.
‘Chelsea, I’m 50-50,’ Neville said. At the moment I’m saying City, Newcastle and Villa in the top five but it could easily be Forest and Chelsea.
‘I think it’s really so close. Bournemouth have been amazing but I don’t think they’ll get into that top five.’
