Harry Redknapp believes Chelsea will fail to qualify for the Champions League, with the former Tottenham manager making his predictions ahead of the final day of the Premier League season
Harry Redknapp has made his predictions ahead of the final Premier League games of the season, with a number of clubs competing for a spot in the Champions League. Liverpool have already qualified after they were confirmed as Premier League champions.
Arsenal have also earned their spot in the tournament, while Tottenham Hotspur qualified by virtue of winning the Europa League. Five teams are still vying for the other three spots, with the Premier League awarded an extra place due to their UEFA coefficient.
Just three points separate third placed Manchester City from Nottingham Forest in seventh, while Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa all sit just two points behind Pep Guardiola’s side with one game left to play.
And Redknapp has shared his predictions for the final day and he believes it could be “disastrous” for Chelsea, who are set to take on Forest at the City Ground. “This is probably the clash of the weekend,” Redknapp told BetVictor Casino.
“In fact, it might be one of the games of the season! Just a point between them, what an atmosphere we’ll get here. It’s been an unbelievable season for Nottingham Forest, and they’d love to finish it off in style.
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“I know they’ve slipped up in recent weeks but don’t write them off here. For Chelsea, how will this side cope with that atmosphere, that pressure on them? Let’s face it, Chelsea not getting top five will be disastrous for the club and a few heads will roll.
“This could be anything. I’d love to see Forest get the job done, I think they deserve it. I’m going for 2-1 and that man, Chris Wood, to be the hero.”
Redknapp is also backing Aston Villa to beat Manchester United 2-0, adding: “A win here could be enough for Villa to make it. That would be a fantastic season for the club, particularly when you consider how well they did in the Champions League this season.
“It’s worked out quite nicely for them, Spurs last week before the final and United fresh off losing it! Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of pressure on Villa here, the club has budgeted for Champions League qualification. It could be nervy for them, but I think they’ll get the job done.”
He has also tipped Manchester City to beat Fulham 3-1, which will secure their spot in the Champions League. “It won’t be easy; Fulham give everyone a good game at home and have had a great season themselves,” Redknapp said.
“I still think City will get the job done though, even if I see Fulham scoring. 3-1 to City and maybe another Omar Marmoush beauty, what a goal that was the other night!”
Newcastle, meanwhile, have been backed to beat Everton 2-0 at St James’ Park. “There’s a bit of pressure on Newcastle here, but I think they’ll be fine,” Redknapp explained.
“Let’s face it, Everton have nothing to play for and last week’s goodbye to Goodison felt like the end of their season. With those home fans behind them, I think they’ll win comfortably and seal their Champions League spot.”
If the results do go as Redknapp predicts, Man City and Newcastle would finish in the places they go into the weekend third and fourth respectively. Villa would nab the fifth and final Champions Leagu berth, with Forest settling for the Europa League.
Chelsea would drop to seventh, meaning a spot in the Conference League, but they can win that competition this week, securing a spot in the Europa League. That would then allow the team in eighth to secure the Premier League’s spot in Europe’s third competition.
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