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 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 top prize.
There has been a serious shake-up in the top five, though, with Manchester United continuing their brilliant form under Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils remain unbeaten under the interim boss after beating Crystal Palace on Sunday, and are now up to third, ahead of Villa in fourth on goal difference.
Five teams are likely to get Champions League football next season, so the battle is on to finish in the top five, with Liverpool in fifth and Chelsea now lagging behind in sixth.
Brentford will not have given up on their chances 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 finishing third, but feels the positions below them are more contentious.
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‘I think United will definitely finish third,’ the Manchester United legend said on Sky Sports’ The Gary Neville Podcast.
‘I can’t believe I’m saying that from where they were six weeks ago. But, they’ve got no distractions, something good is going on, all the momentum.
‘I think Liverpool finish fourth and I think Chelsea will finish fifth. I hope Villa finish in the top five, I really do.
‘I’ve said before that their manager is an experienced and wise guy. If they get some players back; midfield players being injured have cost them in the last few weeks.
‘I just think it will Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. The only doubt will be Chelsea or Villa for fifth.
‘Injuries will be a big factor. Other competitions will be a big factor. At the moment, they’re in danger Villa. They’re vulnerable in terms of the Champions League places.’
Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday made it three games without a win for Liam Rosenior’s side, having drawn with Leeds and Burnley in their previous two outings.
The Blues have a crunch clash in 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 – will be put to the test at Newcastle United on Wednesday.
The Magpies, who are into the last 16 of the Champions League, are nowhere near qualifying for Europe’s elite competition next season, sitting 13th after a home defeat to Everton over the weekend.
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