Ola Aina’s Forest, Chelsea, Man City: Ex-Premier League winger makes Champions League prediction
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Former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has revealed his prediction for the Premier League top four, currently including Ola Aina's Nottingham Forest (Credit: Imago)

Ola Aina’s Forest, Chelsea, Man City: Ex-Premier League winger makes Champions League prediction

Seye Omidiora 16:25 - 14.02.2025

Former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has revealed his prediction for the Premier League top four.

Former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips believes that City will finish in the Premier League top four this season, ahead of his other former club, Chelsea. 

Both teams have struggled for form in recent weeks, but Wright-Phillips believes that City's greater experience and squad depth will give them the edge in the race for Champions League qualification.

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Shaun Wright-Phillips
Shaun Wright-Phillips played for Chelsea for three years before returning to Manchester City (Credit: Imago)

Wright-Phillips on Champions League qualification race

The retired winger also praised Nottingham Forest, who are currently in third place in the Premier League table, stating that Forest's style of play is effective and that they have a good chance of finishing in the top four.

Ola Aina
Ola Aina's Nottingham Forest are currently third in the Premier League table, guaranteeing Champions League participation next season (Credit: Imago)

However, Wright-Phillips acknowledged that there is still a long way to go in the season and that anything can happen. He believes that the race for the top four will be tight and that several teams are still in contention.

"I still think City get into it,” the pundit told Sports Mole. “I think it's one space that personally will be fought over. And that will be maybe at the minute, as it looks, it's between City and Chelsea. But like I said, it takes the best part of three games.

"You can draw three games and be out of Champions League places the way the league is at the minute. So there's still such a long way to go.

"You can't be disrespectful to Forest. I think the way they play suits all of their players, but it's also so effective against any team they come up against.

"They just have one game where they might not be at it, or there's a lot more spaces than there normally is. And then the next game, it just kind of is so far, it's clicked back into gear. 

"So you can't be disrespectful to Forest. But in Premier League terms, there's still a long way to go and a lot can change. So if they keep that form up, there's no reason why they shouldn't be in it."

Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola
Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola during Chelsea's recent visit to Manchester City (Credit: Imago)

What next in the Champions League race?

Forest, Chelsea and Manchester City face a crucial few weeks in their respective seasons. 

Enzo Maresca’s men could move five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side with a win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night, which would take them one point behind Nuno Espirito Santo’s third-placed side. 

However, City have a more favourable run of fixtures in the coming weeks and will be hoping to take advantage of that.