Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have claimed that third-placed Newcastle United are more likely to drop out of the top four than Manchester United before the end of the season.
Both teams have enjoyed impressive seasons and have spent most of the recent months in the top four. However, they are now under pressure from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.
The Reds have won seven league games in a row to narrow the gap between them and the two teams to one point. They have scored 20 goals in their last seven games while keeping three clean sheets in their last three games, leading to suggestions that they are back to their best.
However, they have played a game more than Manchester United and Newcastle, meaning their top-four destiny isn’t in their hands. But Neville and Carragher have insisted there is a possibility that Eddie Howe’s side will miss out on qualifying for the Champions League.
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“I think Newcastle have been unbelievable all season,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football.
“They’ve been one of the teams I’ve looked forward to watching. They’ve been outstanding. Even when they drop points, it’s not necessarily they play badly; they just drop points.
“But yeah, I think that Brighton game (on Thursday) is absolutely huge, and if they drop points in that, I think there will be a big worry.”
Fellow pundit Neville backed up Carragher’s view and stated that Newcastle’s fixtures made it more difficult for them than Erik ten Hag’s side.
The Magpies face Brighton and Leicester at home and Chelsea away, while the Red Devils travel to Bournemouth before hosting Chelsea and Fulham to end the season.
“Newcastle is a little bit of a wobble by losing to Arsenal and drawing at Leeds, so I’d say probably Newcastle (to miss out), and that’s not me being overconfident, but I think I’d be more comfortable if I was United than Newcastle looking at it with the games.
‘Chelsea away last game of the season. I know Chelsea have been awful, but it’s still quite difficult.’
Neville continued: “I mean, the unthinkable could happen (United missing out on the top four). I’ve always expected Liverpool to go on this run and finish in the top four. I actually thought Newcastle would drop off before this, but they’ve been sensational.
“I thought Man United would get in the top four, so it’d be harsh on Newcastle if they didn’t and obviously, United have comfortable games there.
“They’ve got a team near the bottom of the league and two games at home, so they’ll be shooting themselves in the foot if they don’t get in the top four.”
