Gary Neville feels he ‘definitely’ knows where Manchester United will finish this season and is pretty confident on Chelsea’s fate, but hopes they do worse than he predicts.
The title race is now officially right down to just two teams after Aston Villa fell away from the leaders in recent weeks, leaving just Arsenal and Manchester City vying for the highest prize.
There was a serious shake-up in the highest five, though, with Manchester United continuing their sensible form under Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils remain unbeaten under the interim boss after beating Crystal Palace on Sunday, and at the moment are as much as third, ahead of Villa in fourth on goal difference.
Five teams are prone to get Champions League football next season, so the battle is on to complete in the highest five, with Liverpool in fifth and Chelsea now lagging behind in sixth.
Brentford won’t have given up on their probabilities of a remarkable Champions League finish, currently seventh, five points adrift of Liverpool in fifth.
Neville is now extremely confident that Manchester United will return to the Champions League in some style, by ending third, but feels the positions below them are more contentious.
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‘I believe United will certainly finish third,’ the Manchester United legend said on Sky Sports’ The Gary Neville Podcast.
‘I can’t consider I’m saying that from where they were six weeks ago. But, they’ve got no distractions, something good is happening, all of the momentum.
‘I believe Liverpool finish fourth and I believe Chelsea will finish fifth. I hope Villa finish in the highest five, I actually do.
‘I’ve said before that their manager is an experienced and clever guy. In the event that they get some players back; midfield players being injured have cost them in the previous few weeks.
‘I just think it’ll Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. The one doubt can be Chelsea or Villa for fifth.
‘Injuries can be an enormous factor. Other competitions can be an enormous factor. In the intervening time, they’re in peril Villa. They’re vulnerable when it comes to the Champions League places.’
Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday made it three games and not using a win for Liam Rosenior’s side, having drawn with Leeds and Burnley of their previous two outings.
The Blues have a crunch clash within the Champions League next as they go to Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
Manchester United’s unbeaten run – which stretches to seven matches in all competitions – can be put to the test at Newcastle United on Wednesday.
The Magpies, who’re into the last 16 of the Champions League, are nowhere near qualifying for Europe’s elite competition next season, sitting thirteenth after a house defeat to Everton over the weekend.
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