Lineker's UCL prediction as Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea race heats up

The race for the Champions League positions is intensifying as six clubs battle it out for five possible places in next season's competition, and it looks like at least one big club will miss out

Gary Lineker has predicted that Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa will secure a Champions League spot this season. The trio are predicted to join Arsenal and Manchester City in the competition.

While the top two are pulling away, the battle for the remaining positions is heating up as we near the business end of the season. Villa are six points ahead of their rivals, but had to settle for a point against Leeds over the weekend.

United remain undefeated since Michael Carrick took interim charge, claiming four victories and one draw in their Premier League under the new boss. They return to action on Monday evening when they face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (8pm kick-off).

Going into the fixture, United occupy fifth place in the standings, though avoiding defeat would see them leapfrog Chelsea into fourth, following their draw with Burnley. Liverpool's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday saw them draw level with their rivals.

England's European coefficient suggests that the top five are likely to secure Champions League qualification for next season. That represents positive news for all the clubs, however, with six teams currently in contention, it guarantees that at least one will fall short.

Speaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker has offered his verdict on which side that will be. "It's pretty tight up there for the Champions League spots," he said.

"I would say Villa probably, they've got a lot of fixtures. The addition of Tammy Abraham will help them, they'll be in the top five.

"Then two from three. At the moment, the three of them are on 45 points. I think the way they are going, if they stay injury-free, United will take one of them.

"Who would have thought that if you said last season that Man United would finish above Liverpool? Even a few weeks ago you would have gone, what?

"I think the other spot is between Liverpool and Chelsea. I think United will do it, they've got momentum, belief, but as long as they don't have any injuries, because I don't think they'll cope with that. If they don't, I think they'll finish in the top five.

"Chelsea and Liverpool are both erratic. Chelsea have got a lot going for them, but a bit inexperienced. Liverpool are definitely better than they were in the first half of the season. Defensively, they aren't giving goals away.

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"If you pinned me against the wall and asked me to give you the top five; Arsenal, City, Villa, Man United and Liverpool, Chelsea just missing out."

Villa currently sit in third place in the table, six points ahead of Chelsea, United and Liverpool, although United have a game in hand. All three teams, in fourth, fifth and sixth, are currently separated by just goal difference.