Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both believe Newcastle United will miss out on Champions League football after the latest round of results. The Magpies saw three points slip through their fingers at Elland Road but still picked up a point to remain above Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp's side have won their last seven games on the bounce to move to within a point of the Magpies, although Eddie Howe's side have a game in hand. The Toon are set to play Brighton on Thursday night and a win over the Seagulls would all but rule Roberto de Zerbi's side out of the top-four race.
That's easier said than done. Brighton thumped Arsenal at the Emirates at the weekend to send a real statement of intent approaching the final few games of the season and all but hand the title to Manchester City.
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When asked who he thought would slip up in the race for the top four, Carragher said: "Newcastle. When you say slip-up, I don’t like saying it because I think Newcastle have been unbelievable all season.
"They’re one of the teams that I’ve maybe looked forward to watching, they’ve been outstanding. Even when they drop points it’s not necessarily a bad performance, they just drop points.
"But, I think that Brighton game is absolutely huge and I think if Newcastle drop points in that, I think there’ll be a big worry for them."
"Newcastle, it’s a little bit of a wobble losing to Arsenal and drawing with Leeds," said Neville. "I would say probably Newcastle, that’s not me being overconfident about Manchester United but I just think looking at that, I think I’d be more comfortable as Manchester United rather than Newcastle with the games left.
"Chelsea away on the last day of the season - I know Chelsea have been awful - but they’ll make it quite difficult. It would be harsh on Newcastle if they weren’t to get into the top four but Manchester United have comfortable games there - a team near the bottom of the league and two games at home - so they’d be shooting themselves in the foot if they didn’t get into the top four."
