Jamie Carragher makes fresh Chelsea prediction with bold Newcastle verdict

Sky Sports pundit said he "fears" for in their pursuit of Champions League football. However, the former defender was more positive when it came to efforts to finish in the top five.

overtook Chelsea and climbed into fourth place over the weekend with a 4-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea had dropped points earlier in the day, trailing 2-0 at home to Ipswich before 2.

Enzo Maresca's Blues sat in second place at but are now down in sixth. Their run-in isn't the easiest, either, with a home game against champions-elect Liverpool and away games against two of the teams above them in Newcastle and .

Chelsea finished last season in sixth place under . That was only enough for a spot in the Conference League, thanks to eighth-placed Manchester United qualifying for the through their win.

This season, due to English teams' fine showing in Europe. Chelsea are one of five representatives across the quarter-finals of the three European club competitions, but Carragher has cast doubt on their ability to ensure they get a shot at the top table next term.

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"It's a massive blow, that," Carragher said when asked about Chelsea's dropped points at home to Ipswich. "It's not just the two points they miss out on, it's one of those fixtures that you look at on paper and think 'that's a guaranteed three points,' because Chelsea have got really tough fixtures between now and the end of the season.

"I don't see them making the Champions League. I don't see it. I keep talking about connection but you see it with Newcastle and the supporters and players.

"You'll see it with Forest as well, they'll still have that, they'll still be fighting to get their team over the line. I don't think we see that with Chelsea right now, I don't think there's any real connection between the manager and the supporters there... I fear for Chelsea in terms of making Champions League football."

He was more positive when it came to Newcastle, though. "I think it's looking like that," Carragher told when asked if he thought Newcastle would qualify for the Champions League. "They're on a great run of form, playing as well as anybody in the country right now. Their intensity, the power in the centre of midfield is fantastic.

"Going into that game yesterday, I just didn't see any way how could win that game. There's a great connection between the [Newcastle] players and the supporters now, especially on the back of winning the cup final, and I think it's almost a guarantee that they get top five.

"They've got the game in hand, at home in midweek, so if they win that it puts them in a great position, and they'll have a little eye on in second position. If Arsenal certainly continue to the semi-finals of the , they'll think 'they're within our sights,' let's put it that way."

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