Gary Neville has forecasted a nail-biting conclusion to the Premier League season, predicting that Chelsea and Nottingham Forest will draw in their decisive final-day clash. This result could see both teams miss out on Champions League qualification. As the 2024/25 campaign reaches its climax, five clubs are separated by just one point, vying for the three remaining Champions League spots. Chelsea currently hold fourth place, with a superior goal difference over two of their rivals, including Forest, who they face on the last day. The imperative for Chelsea is clear: only a win will suffice.
Gary Neville said: “They’ll give Chelsea a tough day. 100 percent. I’m not really sure Chelsea are going to go there and win, I’ll be honest with you. I do feel – it depends what Old Trafford is like on Sunday [for Aston Villa], it could be euphoric or it could be a difficult atmosphere depending on what happens on Wednesday night.”
Neville continued: “I think if Villa win, they’ll get into the Champions League because Forest will take points off Chelsea. If I knew that [what Man United will be like vs Villa]… If that trophy parade is on, it will be euphoric in the sense of winning the trophy, bringing the Europa League back, but if they weren’t to win it would be a very difficult place. I think United will win, which makes it tougher for Villa on Sunday. If Villa can win at Old Trafford I do think they’ll get into the Champions League.”
Jamie Carragher interjected: “I think Chelsea and Nottingham Forest might both miss out, I see that being a draw. I don’t think Chelsea win there. The atmosphere will be electric, Nottingham Forest deserve that. I’m not sure Chelsea have the character to go there and win. Villa and City go in [as well as Newcastle].”
Neville concluded: “If I was predicting here now, City and Villa go in. I think Chelsea and Forest will probably draw.”
The scenario outlined by Neville and Carragher hinges on several factors. For Chelsea to secure a Champions League spot, they must overcome Forest, while Aston Villa need to defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford. Manchester City, meanwhile, require just one more point from their remaining two fixtures to guarantee their place. The stakes are high, and the atmosphere at Nottingham Forest is expected to be electric, adding to the challenge Chelsea face.
As the final day approaches, Chelsea’s destiny remains in their hands, but the pressure is immense. The outcome of this match, along with other key fixtures, will determine the final standings and which teams will join the elite in next season’s Champions League.
