Jamie Carragher sends Chelsea worrying prediction ahead of huge run of fixtures

With just a handful of games left of the Premier League season, if they want to play in next season.

Liverpool and Arsenal look sure to have already cemented their Champions League spot, and with just two places remaining Chelsea are in a five horse race - battling Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

, they will automatically qualify for next season's Europa League but that won't be enough for Enzo Maresca's side. However, with only six points separating the five teams, Chelsea will need to produce some convincing performances - something that

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Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender said: "Looking at the fixtures and Newcastle have a game in hand, I think Nottingham Forest will just do it, I think Chelsea will miss out as they have the toughest fixtures.

"Newcastle will make it and I think Man City will just make it as well. Those last four fixtures, you would expect Man City to win all four, even with the troubles they have had this season. I think Aston Villa will just miss out."

could pick up nine points from the next three fixtures against Ipswich, Fulham and Everton, Chelsea's last four games are something fans will be dreading.

On May 2, they'll face likely Premier League winners Liverpool, before heading to the North East for a six-point clash at St. James' Park.

A week later Chelsea face a struggling Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, before another six-pointer on the final day of the season away at Nottingham Forest.

But fans may take some solace that the Premier League may be set for an extra Champions League place. Two European leagues will be awarded five qualification places and given England have five teams in the quarter-finals across all competitions, they are comfortably ahead of their rivals.

Although none of this is yet to be confirmed, the end of season race may be more forgiving on the brutal end of season race.