Gary Lineker makes Chelsea Champions League prediction amid Liverpool and Man Utd race

The race for a place in next season's Champions League is on and Chelsea are in a battle with a number of clubs, including Liverpool and Man United

Gary Lineker has predicted that Chelsea will miss out on Champions League qualification at the end of the season, as the battle to finish in the top five intensifies.

The Blues had to settle for a point in Saturday afternoon's 1-1 draw with Burnley at Stamford Bridge. Zian Flemming's 93rd-minute goal cancelled out Joao Pedro's fourth-minute opener.

The game also saw Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana shown a red card in the second half for two bookable offences.

The point means that Chelsea failed to create a gap between themselves and Manchester United ahead of their game against Everton on Monday night.

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United remain undefeated since Michael Carrick took interim charge, registering four victories and one draw in the Premier League.

Ahead of the game, Chelsea are in fourth place, though avoiding defeat will see United leapfrog them in the table.

England's current European coefficient suggests the top five sides will once more gain Champions League qualification for next term. That's encouraging news for clubs, including Chelsea, competing for those positions. Yet with six teams currently in contention, it guarantees at least one will fall short.

Speaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker offered his thoughts on which team will miss out. "It's pretty tight up there for the Champions League spots," he 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?

"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.

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"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."

Villa currently occupy third position in the table, six points clear of Chelsea, United and Liverpool, although United have a match in hand. All three sides, in fourth, fifth and sixth, are separated by goal difference alone.