Jamie Carragher believes that Nottingham Forest will miss out on Champions League qualification following their crushing defeat by Brentford.
The former Liverpool defender reckons the final spot will be fought over by Aston Villa and Chelsea, while Manchester City and Newcastle will advance with ease.
Indeed, Carragher has backed City and the Magpies to finish ahead of second-place Arsenal, who remain in the competition and travel to Paris in the semi-final second leg next week.
'I still think Newcastle and Manchester City can actually catch Arsenal,' he said on Sky Sports. 'Just with the situation Arsenal have in the Champions League, Bournemouth at home won't be easy, then they go to Anfield, they've also got to play Newcastle as well. It's a brilliant race.
'Aston Villa have to win in the next couple of games to give themselves a fighting chance.'
City moved into third place after a 1-0 win over Wolves on Friday night, ten points clear of Villa who have a game in hand. Villa are coming off a miserable week after suffering a devastating last-ditch defeat at the Etihad before crashing out of the FA Cup.
Unai Emery's men have arguably the toughest remaining fixtures but the progress of Tottenham and Manchester United - their final two opponents - in the Europa League may work in their favour.
'Playing Spurs and Manchester United in their last two games might actually fall into their lap in terms of the Europa League final as well,' he added. 'I think this is going to go right to the wire. I don't think Nottingham Forest are going to make it now, Villa might make a late push. I still think Chelsea will find it difficult looking at their fixtures.'
The Blues' slate includes clashes against the newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool, United and fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle and Forest on the final day.
Last month, Opta's supercomputer predicted that City, Newcastle and Forest would join Liverpool and Arsenal in the top five.
Villa are the next hopeful to play, as they welcome Fulham to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
didaimouz
1
DRINK YOUR BEER SLOWLY, ARSENAL IS GOING NOWHERE IT WILL REMAIN RUNNING UP
Ksm_city
0
Jamie carragher is a fool of joke 🤣🤣🤣
Say this again now 😂
Ksm_city
0
Way too ambitious to think that Man City and Newcastle will finish above Arsenal 🤔🤷♂️🫣
I see you made this comment about 7hrs ago. So how market? 😂 you’re just 3pts ahead of City, so don’t worry, we all have seen this episode of The Return of the Elephant on Netflix 🐘 😂
Ksm_city
0
Arsenal will shock a lot of people this season when they finish below top 5 😂
kekcdlmnuy
0
Way too ambitious to think that Man City and Newcastle will finish above Arsenal 🤔🤷♂️🫣
its now just a game for city to up with arsenal
Feheklntz
1
how
Feilds
0
Way too ambitious to think that Man City and Newcastle will finish above Arsenal 🤔🤷♂️🫣
Dey play
Cocabdmnyz
0
Way too ambitious to think that Man City and Newcastle will finish above Arsenal 🤔🤷♂️🫣
kuucdklmps
1
He is a record own goal scorer but when he starts analyzing others, going may think that he was an angel on the pitch.
naukkű14
1
Ɗan shegiya munafuki wawa jaki takkwali kada wanda ya fassaramai saboda mahassadi ne
jinacdemsu
1
Carragher and Arsenal! Oga please leave us alone! Your hate is too obvious. Thanks but no thanks! We don’t want your opinion. Kindly keep it to yourself!!!
He's a narcissist
Iconwonder
0
Jamie carragher is a fool of joke 🤣🤣🤣
but City is catching Arsenal, I don't know about Newcastle.
yoyabcenry
0
Jamie carragher is a fool of joke 🤣🤣🤣
supabopruz
5
Carragher and Arsenal! Oga please leave us alone! Your hate is too obvious. Thanks but no thanks! We don’t want your opinion. Kindly keep it to yourself!!!