**_Sky Sports_ pundit Jamie Carragher says he now doubts whether Chelsea will finish in the Champions League places.**
Enzo Maresca’s side [**lost to Newcastle**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-player-ratings-vs-newcastle/) on Sunday, and speaking in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat, Carragher said a lot hinges on the final game against Nottingham Forest:
“Chelsea will beat Man United. It’s whether they can beat Nottingham Forest away. There will be a big atmosphere there.”
“Maybe even if they can’t get Champions League football, I think Nottingham Forest, last game of the season, the supporters will be desperate to say almost like a big thank you for the season that they’ve had/”
“They’ve got European football, great achievement. I actually think it’ll be Chelsea and Nottingham Forest who miss out, and Aston Villa get in.”
Chelsea are sitting in the final Champions League spot on 63 points with two games remaining. However, they are only just above Villa on goal difference. Forest, meanwhile, are a point further adrift in 7th.
Newcastle’s win over the Blues has taken them up to 3rd place on 66 points, having leapfrogged Manchester City who only managed to draw against bottom of the table Southampton on Saturday.
Chelsea will be without a key player for their remaining fixtures
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Nicolas Jackson’s red card at St James’ Park means that Maresca will be without a recognised striker for the matches versus Manchester United and Forest.
The Senegalese international’s elbow on Sven Botman is classed as violent conduct, which is an automatic three-game suspension.
With only two wins being enough to 100% guarantee a top 5 finish, Jacksom’s absence will make the task even harder than it is already. Maresca will have to get creative if his team are to get the results they need.
[**Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-first-team-squad-2024-25/)