Paul Merson predicts who will qualify for the Champions League out of Newcastle United or Nottingham Forest

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The race for the Champions League is heating up and Newcastle United are involved.

The Premier League could well be afforded five Champions League spots next season which, in theory, makes life easier for Newcastle United.

As it stands, Eddie Howe’s side sit two points off fifth-placed Chelsea but little about the Blues or even Manchester City ahead of them suggests they will see that out.

However, such has been the chaotic nature of this season outside of Liverpool’s serene march to the title and the relegation battle largely looking done already, anything could happen.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	28	20	7	1	66	26	40	67
2	ArsenalArsenal	27	15	9	3	51	23	28	54
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	27	14	6	7	44	33	11	48
4	Man CityManchester City	27	14	5	8	53	37	16	47
5	ChelseaChelsea	27	13	7	7	52	36	16	46
6	NewcastleNewcastle	27	13	5	9	46	38	8	44
7	B’mouthBournemouth	27	12	7	8	45	32	13	43
8	BrightonBrighton	27	11	10	6	44	39	5	43
9	FulhamFulham	27	11	9	7	40	36	4	42
10	Aston VillaAston Villa	28	11	9	8	40	45	-5	42

None of the top ten in the Premier League table can be discounted when it comes to potentially finishing in the top five.

There are surprise stories everywhere to be found too. Bournemouth and Fulham have both thrashed Newcastle this season and could yet qualify for Europe’s elite club competition, while Nottingham Forest sit in third.

Newcastle recently beat Forest to make it six points from their two clashes this season but few would doubt the Midlands side have been a surprise package this season.

Pundit Paul Merson, however, believes they may just miss out on the Champions League.

Newcastle fans will love the prediction Paul Merson just made about them

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson suggested the race for the Champions League was so tight that a shock could still be expected.

Before a ball was kicked this season, the idea of Newcastle finishing above Forest would hardly be considered a surprise. Still, given the context of the campaign and how far we are into it, seeing that happen now would be something of a shock.

Pushed on a prediction about what will happen between now and the end of the season, Merson said: “It changes. I would probably say Newcastle would probably take Forest’s position at the moment, I would say.”

Champions League return would be game changing for Newcastle United

Newcastle are no strangers to Champions League competition of course but the ambition at the club has to be to make that a regular thing at St James’ Park.

Indeed, it’s hard to imagine key players such as Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak or Bruno Guimaraes actively wanting to stay long-term if they miss out on qualification once again, albeit Newcastle are in a strong bargaining position over all of them.

Not only would qualifying help keep them happy, it could be massive for potential arrivals too.

Newcastle could sign top players should they reach the grandest stage of them once again. Without that being on offer, the summer transfer window looks much more difficult.