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Lineker has predicted the top four | Getty Images
Gary Lineker has been predicting Chelsea’s fate in their race to secure a top four finish.
Gary Lineker has been predicting how Chelsea’s bid to qualify for the Champions League will end up. The Blues are bidding to finish inside the top four, although fifth place could yet turn into an extra Champions League spot depending on how English teams perform in Europe in the back-end of this season.
Liam Rosenior and his men will want to make absolutely sure of their Champions League qualification by grabbing fourth, but they are not going the right way about it. Chelsea have now drawn back-to-back Premier League games against Premier League strugglers Leeds United and Burnley, and they have allowed Liverpool to move level on points with them.
Manchester United are also likely to leapfrog them, though at time of writing, they haven’t yet faced Everton on Monday night. It’s likely to be a three-horse race for fourth, though Aston Villa could be dragged into the race despite leading Chelsea by six points currently.
Gary Lineker has now had his say on how the race might end up. Speaking on The Rest Is Football, he said: “So, and then I think it’s between Chelsea and Liverpool, and they’re both a bit erratic. Chelsea, I think, have got a lot going for them. They’ve had a good run, but they’re a bit inexperienced.
“I think Liverpool, they’re definitely better than they were in the first half of the season, defensively is the key. They’re not giving as many goals away now. So, I think ultimately if you pinned me against the wall and said, ‘Right, you’ve got to choose your top five.’ I go Arsenal, City, Villa, Man United, and Liverpool.”
That prediction will come as no surprise to Chelsea, who have seen other teams around them achieve some consistent form, while they have struggled in the last few weeks. With tougher games ahead, including this weekend’s clash with Arsenal, Chelsea needed to take advantage of games like the ones they drew against Leeds and Burnley.
Rosenior’s men will now likely need to make up for those results with big results against better teams down the stretch.
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