Jamie Carragher makes Premier League top five prediction as big club misses out

Jamie Carragher has made his thoughts clear on the Premier League’s top five come the end of May with the pundit backing Nottingham Forest and Newcastle to get the job done

Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea will narrowly miss out on the Champions League as he backed them to finish outside the top five. The Blues have been in and around the qualification positions for much of the season, but have struggled for form in recent months.

Around Christmas time Enzo Maresca’s side were being talked about as outsiders for the title after putting together an impressive winning run. However since the end of December they’ve tailed off and drew at Brentford on Sunday.

Chelsea made numerous changes for the game but it didn’t pay off and the west Londoners have now won just five of their last 15 games. Carragher has claimed that the tough fixture list could ultimately count against the Blues as their Champions League absence continues.

Instead he’s backed Nottingham Forest to remain in the qualification spots after their stellar year with Newcastle and Manchester City joining them.

The Sky Sports pundit said: “Looking at the fixtures and Newcastle have a game in hand, I think Nottingham Forest will just do it, I think Chelsea will miss out as they have the toughest fixtures.

READ MORE: Chelsea received payment from unauthorised ticket firm owned by Todd BoehlyREAD MORE: Enzo Maresca follows Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool approach to excuse Chelsea draw

“Newcastle will make it and I think Man City will just make it as well. Those last four fixtures, you would expect Man City to win all four, even with the troubles they have had this season. I think Aston Villa will just miss out.”

Chelsea still have to travel to Newcastle, Fulham and Nottingham – all teams who have hopes of European football for next season. Their clash at the City Ground will be on the final day. Maresca’s side also welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge as the Reds look to wrap up the title sooner rather than later.

The Chelsea boss, who was hired from Leicester in the summer, has confessed that the hierarchy told him he had to deliver Champions League football within two years and recently claimed they are ahead of the curve by being so close this term.

He said: “The club asked to play Champions League in two years. If we are able to bring this club after one year, it will be fantastic.”

Chelsea had been serially at Europe’s top table throughout Roman Abramovich’s tenure but since Todd Boehly took over the club they’ve struggled to make the top four.

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