The race to finish in the top five places is heating up, with fifth place expected to guarantee Champions League football this season, and Gary Lineker has predicted where Chelsea will finish.
As things stand, Chelsea sit in fourth place despite failing to beat Leeds United and Burnley. Both games saw Chelsea go in front, only to throw their lead away against the newly-promoted sides and draw.
However, Chelsea, Man United, and Liverpool all sit on 45 points with Michael Carrick’s side in action tonight against Everton away from home. Steven Gerrard said Chelsea were favourites for fifth position.
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Chelsea's dropped points from winning positions at home this season
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Especially with Cole Palmer fit again. But the two results have hampered Chelsea. Even Liam Rosenior was bullish after the draw against Burnley, saying that his side have “set fire” to four points in the last two.
Gary Lineker predicts Chelsea will finish in sixth place
With Chelsea dropping points and now facing an incredibly tough run of Premier League matches, the Blues are up against it in the race for Champions League qualification. Gary Lineker has had his say.
Asked to predict his top five on The Rest Is Football by Micah Richards, Lineker backed Aston Villa to remain in third. He thinks Man United will get fourth and Liverpool will pip Chelsea to fifth position.
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“Villa probably [get third]. They have a decent enough squad. Then it’s probably two from three. Man United play tonight, they all have 45 points. The way they’re going, they don’t have much depth.
“But if they keep injury free, I think United will take one of them. Then between Chelsea and Liverpool for the other spot, as long as United don’t get injuries because I don’t think they cope with that,” he added.
“I do think we will get five Champions League spots. Chelsea and Liverpool are erratic. If you pinned me against a wall and told me to pick a top five; Arsenal, City, Villa, Man United, Liverpool. Chelsea miss out.”
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Wesley Fofana's replacement after Chelsea red card
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Comparing Chelsea’s fixtures with Man United and Liverpool…
Between now and the end of April, Chelsea have a horrendous run of Premier League fixtures. The Blues are scheduled to play seven times over the next two months in the top tier of the Premier League.
Next up is Arsenal, then Aston Villa, Newcastle, Everton, both Manchester clubs and then Brighton away on April 25. A nasty run that Chelsea will do well to pick up more than perhaps two or three wins.
Man United’s run of games is slightly easier, though Carrick’s men do face Aston Villa, Newcastle and of course, Chelsea. Liverpool’s is more favourable, their next three games against sides in the bottom five.
Chelsea also have to contend with Champions League fixtures and an FA Cup run, which sees them go to Wrexham in the fifth round. Rosenior needs to regroup his side before facing Arsenal on Sunday.
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