With less than a week to go until the end of the Premier League season, three of the five Champions League spots available are still up for grabs.
After our frustrating loss to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, there is just a point between 3rd and 7th place, with Manchester City needing to play their game in hand at home to Bournemouth tonight.
This will no doubt go down as one of the most unpredictable races for European football ever seen in the Premier League. But how will it pan out?
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football before Liverpool’s game against Brighton and Hove Albion, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville weighed in with their thoughts on the top-five race ahead of Sunday’s finale.
As we know, Newcastle host Everton at 4pm on Sunday, while Aston Villa travel to Man Utd and Nottingham Forest host Chelsea in a potential decider at the City Ground.
Kicking off the conversation, Neville said: “Forest will 100% give Chelsea a tough day. I’m not sure Chelsea are going to go there and win, I’ve got to be honest.
“I think (Manchester) United will win on Wednesday night, which I think makes it a little bit tougher for Villa on Sunday.
“But I think if Villa can win on Sunday at Old Trafford, I think they do get into the Champions League, because I think Forest will take points off Chelsea. That’s my feeling.”
With the pair uncertain on Chelsea’s hopes on the City Ground, both look to be in unison on who they think join Liverpool and Arsenal in next season’s competition: ourselves, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Carragher commented “I think both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest might both miss out with a draw at the weekend. I don’t see Chelsea going there (and getting a win).
Neville added: “I think Villa and City go in (with Newcastle), as I think Chelsea and Forest draw.”
FIVE teams in the fight for the remaining three Champions League positions 👀@Gnev2 and @Carra23 cast their predictions… pic.twitter.com/85sUq5g4XL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 19, 2025
Liverpool – 83pts (+45 GD) – Palace (H)
Arsenal – 71pts (+34 GD) – Southampton (A)
Newcastle – 66pts (+22 GD) – Everton (H)
Chelsea – 66pts (+20 GD) – Forest (A)
Aston Villa – 66pts (+9 GD) – Man Utd (A)
Man City – 65pts (+24 GD)- Bournemouth (H), Fulham (A)
Nottingham Forest – 65pts (+13 GD) – Chelsea (H)
We knew even before our last game that three points would be enough to guarantee us Champions League football, barring an unheard of swing in the goal difference in Aston Villa’s favour.
Our goal difference of +22 is proving to be pivotal here, as this can afford us to draw against Everton at St James’ Park the condition Chelsea and Nottingham Forest draw their game against one another. Or if Villa lose to Manchester United at Old Trafford, which Gary Neville highlights as a real possibility depending on how the Red Devils fare in the Europa League final.