Alan Shearer issues Premier League top five prediction with warning to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca

Alan Shearer believes Chelsea "may miss out" on a top five finish as the race hots up. The has been granted an extra spot in next year's European Cup - further increasing competition.

are clear at the top with all but tying up second. It means that below them there's a tightly-contested race that currently has in third, narrowly ahead of and .

Below them have slipped out of the Champions League places for the first time in months as their form drops off. are also sitting in seventh but have found some sensational form in recent weeks, winning their last five.

Ultimately two of the five Champions League hopefuls will miss out and Shearer believes that Chelsea may be one of them. The Newcastle icon has also tipped Forest, after their sensational campaign, to just fall short but has cited the Blues' run-in as the toughest.

He told : "Looking at the fixtures, there’s no doubt in my mind that Chelsea have the toughest run-in. The league might be done for Liverpool. Obviously Newcastle is a huge one. And that last game against Nottingham Forest, they could be playing for everything, who gets a Champions League place. So that for me is the toughest run-in."

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Chelsea have to host Liverpool, who still need to wrap up the title then travel to Newcastle the following week and also play . Their final game of the season sees them head to Nottingham in a game that could be Champions League or bust for both teams.

Enzo Maresca has maintained that the Blues have taken strides forward this season. They needed a late goal from Pedro Neto to beat and the Italian insists that, given their recent past, being as close as they are to a European Cup return represents a good season

He said: "Chelsea in the last two years have never been in the Champions League spots and this season we spent all season there. So today's win doesn't change my view. It's already a good season and can become very good if we finish in the Champions League spots, no doubt."

Each of the top five have to play at least one of their direct rivals. This week City play Villa at the Etihad where a win for Unai Emery's side can see them leap into the top five and put them in pole position to qualify for the Champions League for a second successive year.

and receive your daily dose of content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our