Newcastle United legend makes bold claim about Awoniyi and Aina’s Forest as top four race heats up

Former Newcastle United and England striker, Alan Shearer, has cast doubts over Nottingham Forest's chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, Soccernet.ng reports.

Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi's side have overachieved this season. Forest struggled to survive relegation in their first two campaigns since returning from the EFL Championship, but this term, they've spent a large period in the league's top five.

With five league games left to play, the race for the top four is heating up. While Liverpool and Arsenal are assured of safety, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Chelsea are all in a race to qualify.

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Speaking on Punditry duties with the BBC, Shearer mentioned he's unsure Nuno Espirito Santo's side will make the cut due to their inexperience in handling situations like this.

“It is hard enough to predict results in the Premier League anyway, but at this stage of the season, it is even more difficult. Looking at each club's remaining games now doesn't really help in deciding what might happen, because some of the teams they face may have different priorities, or nothing to play for full-stop.

“It's the same for anyone who plays Manchester United and Tottenham before the end of the season, too, because the Europa League is their priority now. Right now, my guess would be that maybe Chelsea and Forest will be the teams who miss out – but that situation could change very quickly,” the Premier League's record goalscorer said in quotes revealed by Nottingham Post.

“There will be ups and downs for all five clubs involved but they have all got valid reasons for thinking they can and will make it. They all have the same incentive too – getting in the Champions League, or not, is massive because of the financial rewards it brings.

“For Manchester City, who have qualified every year since 2011, it is part of their model and although Chelsea have not been in it for a couple of seasons, that applies to them too.

“In contrast, no-one saw this coming from Forest, but they have now spent so much time in the top five that they will be disappointed if they don't make it from here. The picture is going to keep on changing – Manchester City play Villa on Tuesday, when I guess the other three teams watching on will be hoping for a draw.

“This is what it is going to be like now every week between now and the end of the season. Someone will have a bad result and appear to be out of it, and someone else will win and look like they are favourites, but there are plenty of twists and turns to come,” the one-time English Premier League winner concluded.

Nottingham Forest are currently third on the English Premier League table, one point above Newcastle United and two above Manchester City.