Chelsea and Forest face off for a spot in the Champions LeagueChelsea and Forest face off for a spot in the Champions League
Chelsea and Forest face off for a spot in the Champions League | Getty Images
A look at the pundit predictions for this weekend’s Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham fixtures as the Premier League prepares to wrap up.
The final Premier League weekend is upon us. After a long and arduous campaign, the end is nigh, and we still have the Champions League qualification to sort out, with the three of the top five spots still available.
Chelsea must win if they want to secure a Champions League spot without any worries elsewhere, while a draw will leave them relying on an Aston Villa draw or defeat or a Newcastle United defeat. Elsewhere, Arsenal face bottom club Southampton and Tottenham face Brighton. There are no consequences to those games. Here we round up the pundit predictions from SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson and Betafair’s Alan Shearer for all three.
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Paul Merson
“I don't see Chelsea winning this game. They have lost all their away games against the top eight teams this season. So for Chelsea to go to Nottingham Forest and get a win on the last day of the season is a big challenge in my opinion. Away from home, they haven't been good enough.
“The rather unfortunate thing here is that even if Forest win this game, they may not finish inside the top five! There is always plenty of drama on the final day of the season and I feel like this fixture could give us something similar. Forest could get the win, but I don't expect other results to go in their favour in the race to qualify for the Champions League. Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Chelsea.”
Alan Shearer
“It could be winner takes all here in this one when it comes to the race for Champions League football. Forest have given themselves a real chance with their last result. It's a really tough one to call, so I'm going to sit on the fence and say a draw and then see how that pans out. Prediction: Draw.”
Southampton vs Arsenal
Paul Merson
“Arsenal did well to cement second-place in the Premier League last week. I expect Mikel Arteta to give playing time to a few youngsters in this game. All of them will be eager to show how much they can contribute to the first team next season.
“We all know how Southampton play. They will come out and want to play their football no matter what. This game has nothing in it for both teams, but I still think this could be entertaining. If Arsenal hit the right gears early on, they could even be five or six-nil up by the end of 90 minutes. Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Arsenal.”
Alan Shearer
“Arsenal, they got a great result against Newcastle last week. It was a great goal from Declan Rice, but yeah, they'll have too much for Southampton. Prediction: Arsenal win.”
Tottenham vs Brighton
Paul Merson
“Brighton will win this game, I can bet on it one million percent! When the pressure is off them, Brighton are a dangerous team. Now if Brighton win this game, finish eighth and Chelsea win the Europa Conference League, they can play in Europe next season - what an achievement that would be!
“We have to talk about Tottenham. It does not matter where they are finishing in the Premier League this season. The only thing that matters is that they have done something many Spurs teams of the past failed to do. I don't care what the critics say, winning a trophy is special. If you're a footballer, would you want to tell your grandkids about winning a European trophy or finishing fifth in the Premier League without any silverware to show? I know what's my answer to that!
“Ange Postecoglou said he'd win things in his second season and he just put the money where the mouth is with that result. People said it was impossible for Spurs to win anything. Postecoglou has now done a better job than Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte at Tottenham. I firmly believe he should be given a chance next season. He deserves it for this achievement. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion.”
Alan Shearer
“I think Spurs will be having a party from now until the the end of next week, following their victory in the Europa League final. So, I'm going to go for the Brighton away win. Prediction: Brighton win.”
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