'Chelsea will beat Man Utd' - Carragher has his say on Blues UCL dreams

'Chelsea will beat Man Utd' - Carragher has his say on Blues UCL dreams

Hassan Abdulsalam 14:21 - 12.05.2025

Carragher has predicted Champions League heartbreak for Chelsea and Forest

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has cast doubt on Chelsea and Nottingham Forest's chances of securing Champions League qualification, suggesting both clubs will fall short of a top-five finish in the Premier League.

His analysis comes on the heels of a disappointing weekend for both teams, where they dropped points.

Chelsea suffered a 2-0 away defeat to Newcastle United, a match marred by a red card for their striker Nicolas Jackson.

Nottingham Forest could only manage a 2-2 draw at home against already-relegated Leicester City, a result that visibly angered owner Evangelos Marinakis, who reportedly confronted manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after the final whistle.

Speaking on Sky Sports following Liverpool's own 2-2 draw with Arsenal, Carragher offered his insights into the Champions League race.

Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher | Imago

While he anticipates Chelsea will bounce back with a victory against Manchester United on Friday, he is less optimistic about their final game of the season against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

He said, "Chelsea will beat Man United. It’s whether they can beat Nottingham Forest away. There will be a big atmosphere there.”

He further elaborated on the potential final day atmosphere in Nottingham, suggesting it could play a significant role.

He continued, "Maybe even if they can’t get Champions League football, I think Nottingham Forest, last game of the season, the supporters will be desperate to say almost like a big thank you for the season that they’ve had.

Carragher scoffed at the statement that AFCON is a major tournament.

“They’ve got European football, great achievement. I actually think it’ll be Chelsea and Nottingham Forest who miss out and Aston Villa get in."

Carragher's prediction hinges on the contrasting fortunes and momentum of the teams involved.

Aston Villa, currently in a strong position, are seen as the likely beneficiaries of any slip-ups from Chelsea or Forest.

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