Jamie Carragher has serious doubts that Chelsea will finish in the top five and qualify for next season’s Champions League. Now hanging on to fourth place with 53 points, the Blues are level with Newcastle United, who have played one less game.
In a surprise run, Nottingham Forest sit third on 57 points, while Manchester City and Aston Villa are not far behind the Blues. Carragher has cited Chelsea’s remaining schedule as a major factor in his forecast that the Blues will not enter the UCL.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, the Liverpool legend revealed his top-five prediction:
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Nottingham Forest
- Newcastle United
- Manchester City
He explained:
Looking at the fixtures and Newcastle having a game in hand, I think Nottingham Forest will just do it, I think Chelsea will miss out as they have the toughest fixtures.
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’s run-in is indeed tough. They have trips to Fulham, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest. The Blues also have home games against Liverpool and Manchester United. Doubts remain over consistency after their narrow victory against Spurs and a scoreless draw with Brentford.
Fellow pundit Craig Bellamy also predicted that Chelsea won’t make it, with Newcastle, Manchester City, and Aston Villa in his top five.
Chelsea Could Still End This Season With a Trophy
The Premier League might be out of the question, and so might Champions League football. However, Chelsea continue their European adventure when they fly out to Poland to take on Legia Warsaw in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final.
The match, taking place in the capital, starts at 5.45 PM UK time on April 10, with the return fixture at Stamford Bridge scheduled for next Thursday. The Blues secured their spot in the last eight with a comfortable 3-1 aggregate victory over FC Copenhagen.
Chelsea, though, are still unbeaten in the competition and favourites to lift the trophy in Wroclaw on May 28. The Blues face domestic action after their clash in Warsaw, hosting Ipswich Town on April 13, before heading back to European duties.
