Paul Merson predicts which three of five clubs will get Champions League on Sunday | OneFootball

Paul Merson has been discussing Newcastle United and the other Champions League hopefuls.

Tomorrow sees the final round of Premier League matches played out.

The former Arsenal and England player speaking ahead of Newcastle facing Everton at St James’ Park, as well as the three games elsewhere that feature the other four clubs hoping to finish top five.

Newcastle United having played forty seven matches in total (all competitions) so far this season.

Twenty nine wins, six draws and twelve defeats.

Now set to face Everton on Sunday afternoon.

Paul Merson speaking to Sportskeeda ahead of Newcastle v Everton:

“This is a dangerous game for Newcastle because Everton are one of those teams that never lie down.

“No matter what kind of season they go through, Everton never roll over or make it easy for their opponents.

“If Alexander Isak is not fit to play this game, then it becomes a really tough task for Newcastle.

“Home advantage will count, but the longer it stays 0-0, Everton will sense more than just an outside chance to nick a win.

“A draw might be good enough for Newcastle to qualify for Champions League. But I don’t think they would want to leave it down to chance.

“All these teams want to win on Sunday and I think Newcastle will edge it.

“Prediction: Newcastle 1 Everton 0”

Newcastle United were missing Alexander Isak but they were still the better team away against Arsenal. Failing to take a fair few very good chances and the fact David Raya was named man of the match, were why Newcastle didn’t take all three points never mind one. Arsenal only with two real threats during the game, Nick Pope an excellent reflex save but no chance with Rice’s shot from outside the box.

Whilst obviously we would all love to see Alexander Isak in the team on Sunday, the fact is he hasn’t been at his best recently, maybe his underlying injury issue responsible. He is still a threat obviously even when not 100% but Newcastle United aren’t a one man team.

United won their last home match 2-0 against Chelsea thanks to Tonali and Bruno goals. Indeed, Newcastle have won all of their last six home Premier League games and scored 20 goals in the process, of those 20 goals it is a fact that other players have scored 15 of the 20, whist Alexander Isak has contributed three goals in open play and two penalties.

Everton’s season of survival has been built on their defence but on Sunday, as well as captain and right-back Seamus Coleman missing, their two central defenders, Tarkowski and Branthwaite, are also both injured.

Eddie Howe will have United pressing from the first whistle and looking to get the first goal as soon as possible to set them on their way.

Everton have got their boxes already ticked, avoiding relegation and winning their very final game at Goodison Park.

Whereas Newcastle United have that massive final box left to tick, adding Champions League to a first trophy in 56 years.

When it comes to the other Champions League contenders, Paul Merson predicts these results on Sunday:

Fulham 0 Man City 1

Man U 0 Villa 2

Forest 1 Chelsea 0

If the Paul Merson predictions come true, this is how the final 2024/25 Premier League table would look, positions third to seventh:

71 Man City (Goal Difference +27)

69 Newcastle United (GD +23)

69 Aston Villa (GD +11)

68 Forest (GD +14)

66 Chelsea (GD +19)

So, Paul Merson predicting that Man City, Newcastle United and Villa will be the three grabbing Champions League places, with Forest and Chelsea missing out.

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