Gary Lineker believes Chelsea will miss out on Champions League qualification at the end of the season and has predicted Manchester United and Liverpool to finish in the top five.

The race for the next season’s UCL spots among Premier League clubs is heating up, with approximately 11 league matches left to play. Manchester United will play away against Everton on Monday to equal the number of matches played by most teams. The Blues were held to a 1-1 draw against Burnley on Saturday, while Arne Slot’s side secured a last-gasp 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Interestingly, the three teams are currently level on 45 points, sitting fourth, fifth, and sixth in the standings. However, Chelsea lead due to having a better goal difference. A win for Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium will see them open up a three-point lead over the other two teams.

As it stands, England have secured five spots for next season’s UCL. But with six teams in contention for the coveted competition, it means one team will miss out.

Speaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker admitted that it would be a tightly contested race for the Champions League spots. Despite winning only two of their last five league matches, the former England international backed Aston Villa to finish third and predicted Manchester United to finish behind Unai Emery’s men, provided they remain injury-free.

“It’s pretty tight up there for the Champions League spots,” Lineker said. “I would say [Aston] Villa probably, they’ve got a lot of fixtures. The addition of Tammy Abraham will help them; they’ll be in the top five. Then two from three. At the moment, the three of them are on 45 points. I think the way they are going, if they stay injury-free, United will take one of them. Who would have thought that if you said last season that Man United would finish above Liverpool? Even a few weeks ago you would have gone, what?”

While Lineker acknowledged that both Liverpool and Chelsea have been inconsistent, he tipped the Reds for the fifth spot, suggesting that the Blues are a ‘bit inexperienced’. He added:

“I think the other spot is between Liverpool and Chelsea. I think United will do it, they’ve got momentum, belief, but as long as they don’t have any injuries, because I don’t think they’ll cope with that. If they don’t, I think they’ll finish in the top five. Chelsea and Liverpool are both erratic. Chelsea have got a lot going for them, but a bit inexperienced. Liverpool are definitely better than they were in the first half of the season. Defensively, they aren’t giving goals away. If you pinned me against the wall and asked me to give you the top five; Arsenal, City, Villa, Man United and Liverpool, Chelsea just missing out.”

How Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures compare to Manchester United and Liverpool

After winning their first four league games under new manager Liam Rosenior, the Blues have endured a huge setback, dropping points in each of their last two league games. Manchester United will look to avoid the same unwanted streak when they face Everton tonight, having also won their four league games under Michael Carrick and drawing the fifth.

Slot’s side secured back-to-back league wins for the first time since December after Sunday’s narrow win over Forest.

Chelsea’s next five league games: Arsenal (A), Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H), Everton (A), Manchester City (H)

Manchester United’s next five league games (after Everton today): Crystal Palace (H), Newcastle (A), Aston Villa (H), Bournemouth (A), Leeds (H)

Liverpool’s next five league games: West Ham (H), Wolves (A), Tottenham (H), Brighton (A), Fulham (H)