Jamie Carragher has predicted Chelsea will fail to qualify for the Champions League, with Aston Villa snatching the final spot. The top five in the Premier League this season will earn a place in the 2025/26 competition, and Liverpool are the only side guaranteed qualification so far.
Just six points separate second-placed Arsenal from seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, with Chelsea currently occupying the final qualification place on goal difference ahead of Villa. All teams in the race have two games left, and Chelsea control their own destiny with a 56.3 per cent chance of qualifying according to Opta, if they beat Manchester United and Forest.
However, speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: 'Chelsea will beat Man United. It is whether they can beat Nottingham Forest away. There will be a big atmosphere there. I actually think it will be Chelsea and Nottingham Forest who miss out and Aston Villa get in.'
For Villa to overtake Chelsea, they must better the Blues' results in their final two matches. Tottenham visit Villa Park on Friday, before Villa travel to Manchester United on the final day.
