Gary Neville makes Liverpool prediction as Chelsea and Man Utd backed for Champions League

Gary Neville has made his prediction for the rest of the Premier League season, with Chelsea and Manchester United backed for Champions League places amid their race with Liverpool

Gary Neville on his Sky Sports podcast(Image: Sky Sports // YouTube)

Gary Neville believes that Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea will all qualify for the Champions League this season — with Aston Villa at risk of missing out.

This weekend, Liverpool and Manchester United won against West Ham and Crystal Palace respectively. Meanwhile, Aston Villa lost to Wolves and Chelsea fell to a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, with Pedro Neto getting sent off.

The standings now have Manchester United and Aston Villa level on 51 points, with Liverpool three points and Chelsea six points behind. The top five teams at the end of the season are almost certain to qualify for UEFA's top competition.

"I think Manchester United will definitely finish third," Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast. "I can't believe I'm saying that from where they were six weeks ago. But, they've got no distractions, something good is going on, all the momentum.

"I think Liverpool finish fourth and I think Chelsea will finish fifth. I hope Aston Villa finish in the top five, I really do.

"I've said before that their manager is an experienced and wise guy. If they get some players back; midfield players being injured have cost them in the last few weeks.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is trying to secure Champions League soccer(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

"I just think it will be Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. The only doubt will be Chelsea or Aston Villa for fifth.

"Getting injuries like they've had in midfield has killed them a lot. Michael Carrick's had Harry Maguire come back. He had Lisandro Martinez come back for a few games.

"He had Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo come back from AFCON. He's had some good fortune in players coming back for him. Unai Emery has lost players.

"Injuries will be a big factor. Other competitions will be a big factor. At the moment, they're in danger, Villa. They're vulnerable in terms of the Champions League places."

Midweek, Liverpool travels to Wolves. Aston Villa plays Chelsea at Villa Park, while Manchester United — playing a rare two games in a week — is at Newcastle.

Liverpool.com says: From here, the Reds should be confident of making the Champions League spots. If it is going to happen, though, they will need to pick up lots of points in the next few games.

With Spurs, Brighton, Fulham and Everton coming up next in the Premier League, there are points there to be won, even if Liverpool will need to continue to improve if it is to get anywhere near the maximum on offer in that period.