Paul Merson has admitted that he is worried about the top-five hope of Manchester City, because the Premier League season is on his way to an exciting last day finish-but fellow expert Jamie Redknapp believes that Chelsea is in a greater danger to miss the Champions League qualification.
The Sky Sports Duo responded after the 1-0 victory of Arsenal on Newcastle on Sunday, a result that the Gunners came closer to securing the second place behind Liverpool. The attention now focuses in the busy struggle for the third, fourth and fifth – with five teams separated by only one point on the way to the last week of competitions.
Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa are all at 66 points, while Manchester City and Nottingham Forest are just behind 65. The top five clubs in the top flight of England will qualify for the Champions League of next season through their final position. They will also be accompanied by Manchester United of Tottenham, depending on whom the Europa League final wins on Wednesday in Bilbao.
Merson, speaking after Declan Rice's first half strike had arranged a tense meeting on the Emirates on Sunday, said that the recent form of the city should involve the supporters. The men of Pep Guardiola lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday in Wembley.
“Chelsea is fourth, if they are defeated, they can finish seventh,” said Merson. 'I should go with Newcastle Safe, because Everton should not play much.
“My concern is Man City. They did not score in their last two games, they have come up Bournemouth and that is a dangerous game. If they don't get anything out of it, it's out of your hands. The only thing you can ask is to be in your hands – and at the moment it is only in the hands of Newcastle, Chelsea and Man City while we talk. '
Redknapp agreed that City is confronted with a difficult test, but believes that Chelsea is the most danger on the last day, with a discouraging trip to Nottingham Forest. “Bournemouth is an excellent side and it is not exactly festive time in Man City after yesterday's result,” he said, referring to the Wembley defeat on Saturday by Palace.
'They will have to create the atmosphere themselves, it will not be easy. They have two heavy games. Fulham has won again today and they want to end as high as possible.
'I think Chelsea has the most difficult game – to go to Forest, that is a very difficult game. It will be tight, this can still happen. It will be the last match of Kevin De Bruyne and he wants to go to a peak. I still think they will do it, but it will not be easy. '
Forest, fresh from a 2-1 victory in West Ham, are unbeaten in their last four league games and could jump Chelsea with a victory at the City Ground next weekend.
Redknapp has also tipped Villa to take advantage of their remaining competition – road to Manchester United – describe it as the 'easiest' of the last games.
City, who has a competition in hand, will be opposite Bournemouth on Tuesday before traveling to Fulham on the last day. Chelsea has to win in Forest, while Newcastle hopes to do the job at home to Liverpool.
Les Ferdinand, also in the Sky Sports Studio on Sunday, supported the men of Guardiola to recover from their disappointment of Wembley. “I think they will do it,” he said. “It's city. We know they can produce and pop up when needed. '